Earphone earplug with internal support member for earplug body

Abstract

The invention relates to a headphone earbud with an internal support member for an earbud body. The invention provides an earphone earplug with an internal support component and a method for manufacturing the earphone earplug. Different support members may provide specific amounts and types of additional stiffness at specific portions of the outer surface of the outer earplug body, which may be expected to interface with specific portions of the ear canal geometry when the earplug subassembly is positioned within the ear canal, such that the earplug subassembly may conform to various shapes of the ear canal while maintaining an acoustic seal. The at least one support member may provide a specific amount and type of stiffness at a specific portion of the inner earplug body defining an inner earplug space that may transmit sound to the tympanic membrane when the earplug subassembly is positioned within the ear canal, such that the earplug subassembly may ensure an effective sound path, and at least partially conforming to various ear canal geometries.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of a divisional application with an application date of August 31, 2016, application number 202211075781.1, and invention name “Earphone earplug with internal support component for earplug body”.

[0002] The divisional application with application number 202211075781.1 is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application date of August 31, 2016, application number 201680050032.X, and invention name “Earphone earplug with internal support component for earplug body”.

[0003] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0004] This application claims the benefit of previously filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 234,864, filed September 30, 2015, U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 253,794, filed August 31, 2016, and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 253,802, filed August 31, 2016. Each of these earlier applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0005] The present disclosure relates to an earphone earplug having an internal support component and a method for manufacturing the earphone earplug. Background Art

[0006] Whether listening to sound from a portable media player while traveling or from a theater system while at home, consumers typically use headphones rather than open speakers to do so. Some headphones include at least one earpiece having a driver for emitting sound waves and an earplug communicatively coupled to the driver and insertable into a user's ear canal for directing the sound waves from the driver, through the user's ear canal, toward the user's eardrum. When the user wears such headphones, the earplug can be deformed to fit inside the user's ear canal. However, such earplugs are generally unable to obtain or maintain a deformed shape that substantially matches the unique shape of a particular user's ear canal in order to form an effective acoustic seal. Therefore, there is a need for alternative earplugs for earpieces. Summary of the invention

[0007] This document describes an earphone bud having an internal support component and a method for manufacturing the earphone bud.

[0008] As an embodiment, an earplug operable to be at least partially positioned in an ear canal may include an inner earplug body, the inner earplug body including: an inner earplug front end, the inner earplug front end having an inner earplug front opening passing through the inner earplug front end; an inner earplug rear end having an inner earplug rear opening passing through the inner earplug rear end; an inner earplug inner surface, the inner earplug inner surface extending between the inner earplug front opening and the inner earplug rear opening to define an inner earplug space; and an inner earplug outer surface extending around the inner earplug inner surface between the inner earplug front end and the inner earplug rear end. The earplug may also include an outer earplug body operable to deform when the earplug is at least partially positioned in the ear canal. The outer earplug body may include: an outer earplug front end, the outer earplug front end having an outer earplug front opening passing through the outer earplug front end, wherein the outer earplug front end is coupled to the inner earplug front end for at least partially aligning the inner earplug front opening and the outer earplug front opening; an outer earplug rear end, the outer earplug rear end having an outer earplug rear opening passing through the outer earplug rear end; an outer earplug inner surface, the outer earplug inner surface extending between the outer earplug front opening and the outer earplug rear opening, for defining an outer earplug space; and an outer earplug outer surface, the outer earplug outer surface extending around the outer earplug inner surface between the outer earplug front end and the outer earplug rear end. The earplug may also include an internal support subsystem, the internal support subsystem including a support extending between a first support body end and a second support body end. The first support body end is coupled to one of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface. The internal support subsystem also includes a wing extending from the second support body end. The wing surface portion of the wing is partially intersected with the interface surface portion of the other of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface. The profile of the wing surface portion matches the profile of the interface surface portion.

[0009] As another embodiment, an earplug for use with a sound-emitting component may include an outer earplug body that defines an outer earplug space and operates to be at least partially positioned within an ear canal; an inner earplug body that is coupled to the outer earplug body and at least partially defines the inner earplug space within the outer earplug space for transmitting sound from the sound-emitting component; and an internal support subsystem that includes a support body extending between a first support body end coupled to the inner earplug body and a second support body end that intersects with an interface portion of the outer earplug body, the interface portion of the outer earplug body defining a spiral relative to a longitudinal axis of the inner earplug space.

[0010] As another embodiment, an earplug for use with a sound-emitting component may include: an outer earplug body that defines an outer earplug space and operates to be at least partially positioned within an ear canal, and an internal support subsystem that includes a support body coupled to the outer earplug body. The support body and a portion of the outer earplug body together define a fluid housing space within the outer earplug space. A portion of the support body defines at least a portion of an inner earplug space within the outer earplug space. The inner earplug space operates to perform at least one of the following operations: at least partially retain at least a portion of the sound-emitting component; and provide at least a portion of a path for transmitting sound from the sound-emitting component.

[0011] As another embodiment, an earpiece operative to be at least partially positioned within an ear canal may include an earplug subassembly, the earplug subassembly including: an inner earplug body; an outer earplug body operative to deform when the earpiece is at least partially positioned within the ear canal; and an internal support subsystem. The inner earplug body may include: an inner earplug front end having an inner earplug front opening passing through the inner earplug front end; an inner earplug rear end having an inner earplug rear opening passing through the inner earplug rear end; an inner earplug inner surface extending between the inner earplug front opening and the inner earplug rear opening to define an inner earplug space; and an inner earplug outer surface extending around the inner earplug inner surface between the inner earplug front end and the inner earplug rear end. The outer earplug body may include: an outer earplug front end having an outer earplug front opening through the outer earplug front end, wherein the outer earplug front end is coupled to the inner earplug front end for at least partially aligning the inner earplug front opening and the outer earplug front opening; an outer earplug rear end having an outer earplug rear opening through the outer earplug rear end; an outer earplug inner surface extending between the outer earplug front opening and the outer earplug rear opening for defining an outer earplug space; and an outer earplug outer surface extending around the outer earplug inner surface between the outer earplug front end and the outer earplug rear end. The internal support subsystem may include an internal support member, wherein the internal support member contacts at least a portion of the inner earplug body, wherein the internal support member at least partially surrounds the inner earplug space and extends along at least a portion of the length of the inner earplug space, and wherein the internal support member operates to ensure that a cross-sectional area of ​​the inner earplug space exists along at least a portion of the length of the inner earplug space when the earpiece is at least partially positioned within the ear canal.

[0012] As another embodiment, an earpiece that operates to be at least partially positioned within an ear canal may include a transducer subassembly; an earplug subassembly, the earplug subassembly including an outer earplug body that defines an outer earplug space and operates to be at least partially positioned within the ear canal, and an inner earplug body coupled to the outer earplug body and at least partially defining an inner earplug space within the outer earplug space; and an internal support subsystem, the internal support subsystem including an internal support component, wherein the internal support component at least partially couples the transducer subassembly to the earplug subassembly so that the transducer subassembly operates to emit sound into the inner earplug space, and wherein the internal support component operates to ensure that a cross-sectional area of ​​the inner earplug space exists along at least a portion of the length of the inner earplug space when the earpiece is at least partially positioned within the ear canal.

[0013] As another embodiment, an earpiece that operates to be at least partially positioned within an ear canal may include a transducer subassembly; an earplug subassembly, the earplug subassembly including an outer earplug body that defines an outer earplug space and operates to be at least partially positioned within the ear canal, and an inner earplug body coupled to the outer earplug body and at least partially defines an inner earplug space within the outer earplug space; and an internal support subsystem, the internal support subsystem including an internal support component, wherein the internal support component at least partially couples the transducer subassembly to the earplug subassembly so that the transducer subassembly operates to emit sound into the inner earplug space, and wherein a portion of the internal support component extends at least partially around the inner earplug space within the inner earplug body.

[0014] The present invention content is provided only to summarize some example embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter described in this document. Therefore, it should be understood that the features described in the present invention content are only examples and should not be understood to reduce the scope or essence of the subject matter described herein in any way. Unless otherwise stated, the features described in the context of one embodiment may be combined or used together with the features described in the context of one or more other embodiments. Other features, aspects and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The following discussion refers to the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, and wherein:

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary earphone assembly including two earpieces having an internal support member, wherein one of the two earpieces is shown fully assembled and the other of the two earpieces is shown exploded;

[0017] Figure 2 It was made before flipping Figure 1 a perspective view of a portion of one of the earpieces;

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a fully assembled earpiece;

[0019] Figure 4 It was made before flipping Figure 1-Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a portion of a handset;

[0020] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary earpiece with fully assembled internal support components;

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A perspective view of the handset of FIG. 1 , but in exploded view;

[0022] Figure 7 is a top elevational view of an exemplary earplug subassembly having an internal support member;

[0023] Figure 8 is from Figure 7 The line VIII-VIII is intercepted Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of an earplug subassembly;

[0024] Fig. 9 is from Figure 8 The line IX-IX is intercepted Figure 7 and Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of an earplug subassembly;

[0025] Fig.10 is from Figure 8 The line XX intercepts Figure 7-Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of an earplug subassembly;

[0026] Fig.11 is from Figure 8 The line XI-XI is intercepted Figure 7-10 A cross-sectional view of an earplug subassembly;

[0027] Fig.12 is a top elevational view of another exemplary earplug subassembly having an internal support member;

[0028] Fig.13 is from Fig.12 The line XIII-XIII is intercepted Fig.12 A cross-sectional view of an earplug subassembly;

[0029] Fig.14 is from Fig.13 The line XIV-XIV is intercepted Fig.12 and Fig.13 A cross-sectional view of an earplug subassembly;

[0030] Fig.15 is from Fig.13 The line XV-XV is intercepted Figure 12-14 A cross-sectional view of an earplug subassembly;

[0031] Fig.16 is from Fig.13 The line XVI-XVI intercepts Figure 12-Figure 15 A cross-sectional view of an earplug subassembly;

[0032] Fig.17 is a top elevational view of another exemplary earpiece having an internal support member;

[0033] Fig.18 is from Fig.17 The line XVIII-XVIII is intercepted Fig.17 A cross-sectional view of a handset;

[0034] Fig.19 is from Fig.18 The line XIX-XIX is intercepted Fig.17 and Fig.18 A bottom front view of a handset;

[0035] Fig. 20 is from Fig.18 The line XX-XX is intercepted Figure 17-Figure 19 A top front view of the earpiece of FIG. 1 , but only the rear end of the outer earbud portion is shown;

[0036] Fig.21 is a top elevational view of another exemplary earpiece having an internal support member;

[0037] Fig. 22 is from Fig.21 The line XXII-XXII is intercepted Fig.21 A cross-sectional view of a handset;

[0038] Fig.23 is from Fig. 22 The line XXIII-XXIII is intercepted Fig.21 and Fig. 22 A cross-sectional view of a handset;

[0039] Fig.24 is from Fig.21 The line XXIV-XXIV is intercepted Figure 21-23 A cross-sectional view of a handset;

[0040] Fig.25 is from Fig.24 The line XXV-XXV is intercepted Figure 21-24 A cross-sectional view of an earphone;

[0041] Fig.26is a top elevational view of another exemplary earplug subassembly having an internal support member;

[0042] Fig. 27 is from Fig.26 The line XXVII-XXVII is intercepted Fig.26 A cross-sectional view of an earplug subassembly;

[0043] Fig.28 is from Fig. 27 The line XXVIII-XXVIII is intercepted Fig.26 and Fig. 27 A cross-sectional view of an earplug subassembly;

[0044] Fig.29 is a top elevational view of another exemplary earplug subassembly having an internal support member;

[0045] Fig.30 is from Fig.29 The line XXX-XXX is intercepted Fig.29 A cross-sectional view of an earplug subassembly;

[0046] Fig.31 is from Fig.30 The line XXXI-XXXI is intercepted Fig.29 and Fig.30 A cross-sectional view of an earplug subassembly;

[0047] Fig.32 is a top elevational view of another exemplary earpiece having an internal support member;

[0048] Fig.33 is from Fig.32 The line XXXIII-XXXIII is intercepted Fig.32 a cross-sectional view of the handset; and

[0049] Fig.34 is from Fig.33 The line XXXIV-XXXIV is intercepted Fig.32 and Fig.33 A cross-sectional view of the handset. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The present invention provides and refers to Figure 1-Figure 34 An earphone earplug having an internal support member and a method for making the earphone earplug are described.

[0051] The earpiece of the headphone earplug may include a transducer subassembly that operates to emit sound and an earplug subassembly that operates to deform so as to fit inside the ear canal of a user. The earplug subassembly may include an outer earplug body that may define an outer surface of the earpiece that may conform to the geometry of the user's ear canal to form a compatible and comfortable acoustic seal between the earpiece and the user. The earplug subassembly may also include an inner earplug body coupled to the transducer subassembly and the outer earplug body. The inner earplug body may define an inner earplug space that is at least partially located within the outer earplug space defined by the outer earplug body, wherein the inner earplug space operates to transmit the sound emitted by the transducer subassembly through the outer earplug space into the ear canal of the user. Independent of any geometric shape or material variability of the inner earplug body and / or the outer earplug body of the earplug subassembly, one or more internal support subsystems may be provided to change the effective stiffness of the earplug body of the earplug subassembly to affect the ability of the earplug subassembly to conform to various ear canal geometries. Different support components of one or more internal support subsystems may be positioned and configured to provide a specific amount and type of additional stiffness at a specific portion of the outer surface of the outer earplug body that may be expected to interface with a specific portion of the user's ear canal geometry when the earplug subassembly is positioned within the user's ear canal (e.g., such that the earplug subassembly operates to conform to different ridges along the surface of the ear canal while maintaining an acoustic seal and simultaneously providing comfort to the user). Additionally or alternatively, at least one support component of the internal support subsystem may be positioned and configured to provide a specific amount and type of additional stiffness at a specific portion of the inner earplug body defining the inner earplug space (e.g., such that the inner earplug space operates to ensure an effective sound path while also at least partially conforming to various ear canal geometries).

[0052] Figure 1-Figure 4

[0053] For example, Figure 1 As shown, the earphone assembly 100 can provide any suitable earphone, which can include one earphone or a pair of earphones, such as a first earphone assembly 110 for the user's left ear and a second earphone assembly 120 for the user's right ear. When the user wears the earphone assembly 100 by inserting at least a portion of the earplug of each earphone into the corresponding ear canal, the portion of the earplug operates to deform so as to fit within the unique shape of the specific user's ear canal and press outward at least a portion of the user's ear canal to form an effective acoustic seal, which can be suitable for retaining the earplug in the ear canal, so that sound can be provided from the earphone through the ear canal to the user's tympanic membrane. Such earphones can be referred to as in-ear earphones or in-ear monitors ("IEM"), or sometimes as earphones (e.g., in-canal earphones or occlusive earphones).

[0054] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2-Figure 4As shown, the earpiece 120 may include a housing subassembly 130, a sound-generating subassembly 140, and an earplug subassembly 150. The housing subassembly 130 operates to house at least a portion of the sound-generating subassembly 140 and / or communicatively couple the sound-generating subassembly 140 to an inner earplug space 165 of the earplug subassembly 150. The sound-generating subassembly 140 operates to emit sound S for propagation through the inner earplug space 165 of the earplug subassembly 150. The earplug subassembly 150 operates to provide a comfortable fit for the earpiece 120 at least partially within the ear canal of the user and / or to form an acoustic seal between the earpiece 120 and the ear canal and / or to transmit the sound S through the ear canal via the inner earplug space 165 when the user wears the earphone assembly 100. It should be understood that although Figure 2-Figure 4 Only earpiece 120 of a pair of earpieces 110 and 120 of earphone assembly 100 may be shown, but one, some or all of the features of earpiece 120 may also be applicable to earpiece 110 (alone and / or relative to the user's other ear) alone and / or relative to the user's ear.

[0055] The housing subassembly 130 may include a housing portion 132 that may at least partially define a housing space 134. The housing portion 132 may provide at least a portion of a housing that operates to protect or retain at least a portion of the sound emitting subassembly 140 in the housing space 134. At least a portion of the housing subassembly 130 (e.g., the housing portion 132) and / or at least a portion of the sound emitting subassembly 140 may be coupled to the earplug subassembly 150 such that the sound emitting subassembly 140 can be coupled in acoustic communication with the inner earplug space 165 of the earplug subassembly 150. For example, the housing portion 132 may include a housing opening that operates to enable a portion of the sound emitting subassembly 140 to emit a sound S to extend outwardly from the housing space 134 into the inner earplug space 165 of the earplug subassembly 150 such that the sound emitting subassembly 140 can emit the sound S directly into the inner earplug space 165 when the earplug subassembly 150 is coupled to the housing subassembly 130 and / or the sound emitting subassembly 140. Alternatively, if Figure 3 As shown, the housing portion 132 may include a housing opening 135, which, when the earplug subassembly 150 is coupled to the housing subassembly 130 and / or the sound emitting subassembly 140, operates to allow sound S emitted from the sound emitting subassembly 140 to leave the housing space 134 and enter the inner earplug space 165 of the earplug subassembly 150 through the housing opening 135. In some embodiments, the housing subassembly 130 may also include a filter 136 (e.g., across the housing opening 135 (e.g., such as Figure 3) and / or a cross-section of the earplug space 165 across the front of the sound-emitting subassembly 140), wherein the filter 136 operates to allow the sound S to pass from the sound-emitting subassembly 140 through the filter 136 into the earplug space 165, while preventing any harmful objects (e.g., wax or debris) from passing through the filter 136 from the earplug space 165 into the sound-emitting subassembly 140, thereby protecting at least a portion of the sound-emitting subassembly 140. The housing subassembly 130, such as the housing portion 132, can be constructed of any suitable material, including but not limited to metal, ceramic, plastic, and any combination thereof.

[0056] A sound-generating subassembly 140 may be provided at least partially within the housing subassembly 130, the sound-generating subassembly 140 operating to emit sound S into the inner earplug space 165 and toward the user's eardrum when the user wears the assembly 100. For example, in some embodiments, as Figure 2 As shown, the sound-generating subassembly 140 may include at least one driver 142 communicatively coupled to a sound source 144. The driver 142 may be any suitable acoustic element or component (e.g., one or more electroacoustic transducers) that operates to convert an electrical audio signal received from the sound source 144 into a corresponding sound S (e.g., vibration) received by a user's eardrum. The sound source 144 may be any suitable type of audio playback circuit (e.g., processing components, memory components, communication components, and / or the like, such as may be provided by a portable media player) and / or portion thereof that operates to output such electrical audio signals for use by the at least one driver 142. The housing subassembly 130 and the sound-generating subassembly 140 may be referred to herein individually and / or collectively as a driver subassembly or a transducer subassembly.

[0057] The earplug subassembly 150 can be coupled to any suitable portion of the housing subassembly 130 and / or the sound-emitting subassembly 140 in any suitable manner, so that when the earplug subassembly 150 is at least partially retained in the ear canal of the user, the sound S can be effectively emitted into a portion of the earplug space 165 of the earplug subassembly 150, and then transmitted toward the user's eardrum through the earplug space 165. The earplug subassembly 150 can include an inner earplug portion 160 and an outer earplug portion 170 coupled to the inner earplug portion 160. The inner earplug portion 160 can include an inner earplug body 164 that can extend between an inner earplug rear end 162 and an inner earplug front end 168. For example, as shown in the figure, both an inner earplug inner surface 161 of the inner earplug body 164 and an opposite inner earplug outer surface 169 of the inner earplug body 164 can extend between the inner earplug rear end 162 and the inner earplug front end 168. The inner earplug space 165 can be defined by the inner earplug inner surface 161 and can extend between the inner earplug rear opening 163 that can be provided through the inner earplug rear end 162 and the inner earplug front opening 167 that can be provided through the inner earplug front end 168. The inner earplug space 165, and thus the inner earplug inner surface 161, can be any suitable shape in its default configuration, such as cylindrical, cubic, cuboid, or any irregular shape. The cross-sectional geometry of the inner earplug space 165, and thus the inner earplug inner surface 161, can be constant along the length of the inner earplug body 164 (e.g., along the Z-axis between the ends 162 and 168) or can vary in any suitable manner. Similarly, the inner earplug outer surface 169 of the inner earplug body 164 can be any suitable shape in its default configuration, such as cylindrical, cubic, cuboid, or any irregular shape. The cross-sectional geometry of the inner earplug outer surface 169 may be constant along the length of the inner earplug body 164 (eg, along the Z-axis between ends 162 and 168) or may vary in any suitable manner.

[0058] The outer earplug portion 170 may include an outer earplug body 174 that may extend between an outer earplug rear end 172 and an outer earplug front end 178. For example, as shown, an outer earplug inner surface 171 of the outer earplug body 174 and an opposite outer earplug outer surface 179 of the outer earplug body 174 may extend between the outer earplug rear end 172 and the outer earplug front end 178. For example, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the outer earplug space 175 can be defined by the outer earplug inner surface 171 (for example, when at least a portion of the inner earplug body 164 is positioned between portions of the outer earplug inner surface 171, a portion of the space 375 can be defined between the outer earplug inner surface 171 and the inner earplug outer surface 169, and another portion of the space 175 can be occupied by the inner earplug body 164 and the inner earplug space 165) and can extend between the outer earplug rear end 172 and the outer earplug front end 178. In addition, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the rear opening 173 of the outer earplug can be provided by the rear end 172 of the outer earplug, and the front opening 177 of the outer earplug can be provided by the front end 178 of the outer earplug.

[0059] The outer earplug portion 170 can be coupled to the inner earplug portion 160 at the earplug portion interface 155. For example, as shown, the outer earplug front end 178 of the outer earplug portion 170 can be coupled to the inner earplug front end 168 of the inner earplug portion 160, whereby the inner earplug front opening 167 that can be provided through the inner earplug front end 168 can be coupled to the outer earplug front opening 177 that can be provided through the outer earplug front end 178 (e.g., at least a portion of the opening 167 and at least a portion of the opening 177 can be combined to provide a path for the sound S). The outer earplug portion 170 can be coupled to the inner earplug portion 160 at the earplug portion interface 155 using any suitable method or mechanism, including but not limited to any suitable adhesive (e.g., glue or tape), any suitable gasket, any suitable hot melt or other heat treatment, any suitable interference fit, any suitable mechanical connector, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the outer earplug portion 170 may be molded into or otherwise integrated with the inner earplug portion 160 at the earplug portion interface 155 using any suitable process (e.g., a single-shot or double-shot molding process). Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown in the functional configuration of , the outer earplug body 174 can be configured relative to the inner earplug body 164 so that the outer earplug inner surface 171 can extend from the interface 155 both around and along the inner earplug outer surface 169. The outer earplug outer surface 179 of the outer earplug body 174 can have any suitable shape, including, for example, a substantially curved or dome shape (e.g., a variable circular or elliptical cross-sectional area having a longitudinal axis (e.g., Z axis) along which the sound S of the inner earplug space 165 that is transverse or perpendicular to the inner earplug body 164 can travel). The shape and length of the outer earplug outer surface 179 can be selected based on the ear canal size of the intended user or average user, so that the outer earplug outer surface 179 operates to flex to receive the geometry of the user's ear canal to provide an interference fit, but operates to not flex so much as to create significant pressure on the user's ear. For example, at least a portion of the outer earplug outer surface 179 can define a concave configuration such that a cross-sectional area defined by the outer earplug outer surface 179 at the outer earplug front end 178 and / or the outer earplug rear end 172 can be smaller than a cross-sectional area defined by the outer earplug outer surface 179 between the outer earplug front end 178 and the outer earplug rear end 172. At least a significant portion of the outer earplug outer surface 179 can be substantially smooth to ensure a comfortable fit with the surface of the user's ear canal when the earplug subassembly 150 is positioned within the user's ear canal.

[0060] The earplug subassembly 150 can be constructed from any suitable material. In some embodiments, the inner earplug portion 160 and the outer earplug portion 170 can be constructed from the same material (e.g., in a single shot molding process) or different materials (e.g., in a double shot molding process) that can provide different properties between the two earplug portions (e.g., different colors for aesthetic reasons and / or different structural properties (e.g., stiffness) for functional purposes). Any suitable material can be used for the inner earplug portion 160 and / or the outer earplug portion 170, including, for example, silicone, rubber, latex, foam, or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, the earplug assembly 150 (e.g., at least the outer earplug portion 170) can be made of a resilient material (e.g., an elastomer or other composite material) that operates to deform when the earplug assembly 150 is at least partially positioned within the ear canal of the user, such that at least a portion of the outer earplug portion 170 can be compressed and can then expand to press against the ear canal of the user, forming a seal and / or retaining at least a portion of the earplug assembly 150 within the ear canal of the user. In some embodiments, the material used for at least a portion of the earplug assembly 150 can be selected based on its acoustic properties (e.g., based on the acoustic absorption of the material).

[0061] The earplug subassembly 150 can be manufactured using any suitable method. In some embodiments, the earplug subassembly 150 can be manufactured using a molding process. To form the earplug subassembly 150, material can be injected into a mold along the outermost portion or any other suitable portion of the earplug subassembly 150. For example, a single line running around the perimeter of the earplug subassembly 150, such as where the outer earplug portion 170 is located, can be formed. Figure 2 and Figure 4 When the earplug subassembly 150 is in an un-flipped configuration, material is injected into the mold along a line bisecting the outer earplug inner surface 171 of the outer earplug body 174. Upon completion of such a molding process, whereby material has been properly inserted into the mold, a dividing line may remain at such an area 176. Such a dividing line (not shown) may be visible to the user's eye and / or may form a ridge or bump that may be detected by the user's touch. In order to hide such a dividing line at such an area 176 from the user and to make the earplug subassembly 150 more comfortable to use when inserted into the user's ear canal, at least a portion of the earplug subassembly 150 may be flipped. For example, as shown, the earplug subassembly 150 may be flipped relative to the inner earplug portion 160. Figure 2 and Figure 4 The un-flipped configuration flips the outer earplug portion 170 into Figure 1 and Figure 3The flipped configuration of the outer earplug portion 170 can allow the outer earplug inner surface 171 to face and surround at least a portion of the inner earplug outer surface 169 (e.g., so that the outer earplug rear end 172 can be closer to the inner earplug rear end 162 in the flipped configuration than it is in the non-flipped configuration (e.g., so that the outer earplug rear end 172 can be closer to the inner earplug rear end 162 in the flipped configuration than the interface 155). In such an embodiment, once the outer earplug portion 170 is flipped, the dividing line at the area 176 can face the inner earplug portion 160, thereby away from the user's ear canal, so that the outer earplug outer surface 179 of the outer earplug portion 170 that may contact the user's ear canal during use (e.g., Figure 2 and Figure 4 The inner surface before flipping can be basically smooth and does not include such dividing lines.

[0062] Using such an inversion method, additional features can be formed on the outer earplug inner surface 171 and / or the inner earplug outer surface 169 prior to inversion that may otherwise be more difficult or impossible to form after inversion (e.g., Figure 7-Figure 34 In some embodiments, the earplug is manufactured in a flipped form (e.g., as Figure 2 and 4 ) and then turned over for use, the shape of the earplug subassembly 150 can be changed to be directly in its final functional shape (e.g., as shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 3 Specifically, due to the inherent stresses in the material as it is formed, it may not be possible to form a mold based on the inverted shape of the earplug subassembly that is manufactured directly in the final shape.

[0063] As described above, the earplug subassembly 150 can be coupled to any appropriate portion of the housing subassembly 130 and / or the sound-emitting subassembly 140 in any appropriate manner, so that when the earplug subassembly 150 is at least partially retained in the ear canal of the user, the sound S can be effectively emitted into a portion of the earplug space 165 of the earplug subassembly 150, and then transmitted through the earplug space 165 toward the user's eardrum via the inner earplug front opening 167. For example, Figure 3 As shown, a portion of the housing front end 138 of the housing portion 132 of the housing subassembly 130 can abut and / or couple to the inner earplug rear end 162 of the inner earplug portion 160 near the inner earplug rear opening 163, so that another portion of the housing subassembly 130 and / or at least a portion of the sound-emitting subassembly 140 can cover at least a portion of the inner earplug rear opening 163. In some embodiments, the housing front end 138 can be coupled to the inner earplug rear end 162 (e.g., using any suitable adhesive or mechanical features, etc.) to couple the housing subassembly 130 and the sound-emitting subassembly 140 to the earplug subassembly 150. In addition or alternatively, as Figure 3As shown, the leading shell portion 139 of the shell portion 132 of the shell subassembly 130 (e.g., the nozzle portion of the shell portion 132 that may extend beyond the shell front end 138 in the +Z direction, which may include the opening 135 and / or the filter 136) and / or the leading sound-emitting portion 149 of the sound-emitting subassembly 140 (e.g., the nozzle portion of the sound-emitting subassembly 140, which may include at least a portion of at least one driver 142) may extend beyond the inner earplug rear opening 163 (e.g., beyond the insertion distance I) to be positioned within the inner earplug space 165. In some embodiments, the leading shell portion 139 and / or the leading sound-emitting portion 149 may be coupled to the inner earplug inner surface 161 of the inner earplug body 164 (e.g., using any suitable adhesive or mechanical feature or interference fit, etc.) for coupling the shell subassembly 130 and the sound-emitting subassembly 140 to the earplug subassembly 150. Thus, the inner earplug portion 160 can be coupled to any suitable portion of the housing subassembly 130 and / or the sound emitting subassembly 140 using geometric or structural elements (e.g., the inner earplug body 164 can be coupled to the housing front end 138 and / or the leading housing portion 139 and / or the leading sound emitting portion 149 using adhesives, tapes, heat melting or heat treatment, interference fit, gaskets, mechanical fasteners, combinations thereof, or any other suitable method) and / or the inner earplug portion 160 can be manufactured as part of any suitable portion of the housing subassembly 130 and / or the sound emitting subassembly 140 (e.g., the inner earplug portion 160 can be molded into the housing subassembly 130 (e.g., in a two-shot molding process)).

[0064] In its default configuration (e.g., before any deformation of the earplug subassembly 150 occurs for use in the user's ear), the inner earplug space 165 can be of any suitable shape, and its cross-sectional geometry can be constant or can vary in any suitable manner along the length of the inner earplug body 164. However, when the earplug subassembly 150 is positioned within the user's ear canal for transmitting sound S from the sound-emitting subassembly 140 to the user's eardrum, the inner earplug portion 160 can be configured to provide the inner earplug space 165 with at least a minimum cross-sectional geometry at each point along the length of the inner earplug body 164 to prevent the sound path of the sound S (e.g., through the inner earplug space 165 and out via the inner earplug front opening 167) from being squeezed, kinked, or otherwise deformed, thereby being ineffective in conforming to the bends and shape of the user's ear canal. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the inner ear plug body 164 may be formed of a material or combination of materials that may be sufficiently rigid to prevent the shape of the inner ear plug space 165 from collapsing or changing, which would adversely affect the quality of the sound S transmitted through the inner ear plug space 165. In addition or alternatively, an inner ear plug internal support subsystem 166 may be provided to increase the rigidity of the inner ear plug portion 160. For example, Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the inner earplug internal support subsystem 166 of the earpiece 120 may include one or more rigid or expandable components, such as five inner earplug internal support components 166a-166e, each of which can be positioned within a portion of the inner earplug body 164 and at least partially surround a portion of the inner earplug space 165. Each of the support components 166a-166e operates to provide a cross-sectional stiffness (e.g., peripheral stiffness) to the inner earplug body 164 with respect to a corresponding portion of the inner earplug space 165, while still enabling the outer earplug portion 170, and possibly even a portion of the inner earplug body 164 extending between two support components of the inner earplug internal support subsystem 166, to conform to its bend and shape when the earplug subassembly 150 is positioned in the user's ear canal (e.g., enabling the inner earplug body 164 to bend from a default configuration to a variable configuration). In the flex configuration, in the default configuration, two specific inner earplug internal support components 166c and 166d in the inner earplug body 164 can be parallel to each other (e.g., in parallel XY planes and / or such that components 166c and 166d can extend around the same axis), and in the flex configuration, the inner earplug internal support components 166c and 166d in the inner earplug body 164 can be non-parallel to each other (e.g., in intersecting XY planes and / or such that components 166c and 166d can extend around different axes). As shown, each of the inner earplug internal support components 166a-166d can extend entirely around a corresponding portion of the inner earplug space 165 (e.g., forming a complete ring). However, in some embodiments, at least one of the inner earplug internal support members (e.g., inner earplug internal support member 166e) may instead extend only at least partially around a corresponding portion of the inner earplug space 165 (e.g., 75% or 95% of the way around the inner earplug space 165) and include a gap 166eg, while still ensuring at least a minimum cross-sectional geometry of the inner earplug space 165. At least a portion of the inner earplug internal support members of the inner earplug internal support subsystem 166 may contact the inner earplug body 164 by any suitable means. In some embodiments, at least one inner earplug internal support member (e.g., inner earplug internal support member 166a) may be provided around and against an outer surface 169 of the inner earplug body 164. In some embodiments, at least one inner earplug internal support member (e.g., inner earplug internal support member 166b) may be provided within the space 165 against an inner surface 161 of the inner earplug body 164. Alternatively, at least one inner ear plug internal support member (eg, inner ear plug internal support members 166c - 166e ) may be provided at least partially or entirely within the inner ear plug body 164 .

[0065] Each support member of the inner earplug internal support subsystem 166 can be spaced apart from one another in any suitable manner along the length (e.g., along the Z-axis) of the inner earplug body 164. For example, each pair of successively positioned inner earplug internal support members can be spaced apart from one another by an equal distance along the length of the inner earplug body 164 (e.g., the spacing distance 166abs between support members 166a and 166b can be the same as the spacing distance 166bcs between support members 166b and 166c, and the same as the spacing distance 166cds between support members 166c and 166d, which can provide a compatible stiffness for the inner earplug body 164 between support members 166a and 166d (e.g., at least when the material stiffness of each of the support members 166a-166d is the same and the material stiffness of the body 164 is the same between members 166a and 166d)). Alternatively, the spacing between different pairs of successively positioned inner earplug internal support components can vary along the length of the inner earplug body 164 (for example, spacing distance 166abs can be shorter than spacing distance 166bcs, and spacing distance 166bcs can be shorter than spacing distance 166cds, which can provide greater stiffness for the inner earplug body 164 between support components 166a and 166b than between support components 166c and 166d (for example, at least when the material stiffness of each of the support components 166a-166d is the same and the material stiffness of the main body 164 is the same between components 166a and 166d)).

[0066] The geometry of each support component of the inner earplug internal support subsystem 166 can be varied in any suitable manner. For example, different components of the inner earplug internal support components 166a-166e can have the same thickness or different thicknesses (e.g., the thickness 166at of support component 166a can be the same as or different from the thickness 166bt of support component 166b). In addition or alternatively, different components of the inner earplug internal support components 166a-166e can have the same cross-sectional area or different cross-sectional areas (e.g., the minimum cross-sectional dimension 166dx of support component 166d can be the same as or different from the minimum cross-sectional dimension 166ex of support component 166e (e.g., such minimum cross-sectional dimension can be defined as the minimum distance that two parts of the support component on opposite sides of the inner earplug space 165 can be separated within any particular cross-sectional area of ​​the support component, which can at least partially indicate the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the inner earplug space 165 at the support component)).

[0067] The stiffness (e.g., hardness or flexibility) of each support component of the inner ear plug internal support subsystem 166 can be varied in any suitable manner. For example, different components of the inner ear plug internal support components 166a-166e can have the same stiffness or different stiffnesses. In some embodiments, each of the support components 166a-166e can have the same stiffness to impart the same internal support (e.g., maximum stiffness) to its corresponding position within the inner ear plug body 164, so that the default configuration of each support component (e.g., as shown in Figure 1) can be maintained throughout any period of use of the ear plug subassembly 150. Figure 4 Alternatively, one support member may have a different stiffness than another support member to vary the internal support provided by the inner earplug internal support subsystem 166 between one support member and another (e.g., support member 166a may have a stiffness greater than support member 166b, which may have a stiffness greater than support member 166c, which may have a stiffness greater than support member 166d, which may have a stiffness greater than support member 166e, which may provide more stiffness to the inner earplug body 164 at support member 166a than at support member 166e (e.g., at least when the material stiffness of the body 164 is the same between members 166a and 166e)). For example, the geometric shapes of support members 166d and 166e can be the same, so that the minimum cross-sectional dimension 166dx of support member 166d in its default configuration can be the same as the minimum cross-sectional dimension 166ex of support member 166e in its default configuration, but the stiffness of support members 166d and 166e can be different, so that the high stiffness of support member 166d can prevent the size of minimum cross-sectional dimension 166dx from changing due to any external force, while the lower stiffness of support member 166e can enable the size of minimum cross-sectional dimension 166de to increase due to a specific external force. For example, the flexibility of support member 166e can enable the size of minimum cross-sectional dimension 166ex to change from when support member 166e is in a Figure 4 The first value of the default configuration is expanded to the support member 166e when Figure 3165 and the second greater value when in the second configuration of the inner earplug body 164 (e.g., when the front shell portion 139 can be inserted into the inner earplug space 165 and the support member 166e, the flexibility of the support member 166e can enable the minimum cross-sectional dimension 166ex to expand to accommodate the front shell portion 139, but an attempt can be made to return the support member 166e to its default configuration, thereby applying an inward retaining force on the front shell portion 139 to retain the front shell portion 139 within the inner earplug space 165). In some embodiments, the single inner earplug internal support member can have a thickness that is suitable for extending along a majority of the length of the inner earplug body 164. For example, in some embodiments, the thickness 166et of the support member 166e can be long enough to extend not only around at least a portion of the leading shell portion 139 within the inner ear plug space 165 (e.g., to at least partially couple the leading shell portion 139 to the inner ear plug body 164 (e.g., by at least partially retaining the leading shell portion 139 within the ear plug space 165)), but also around at least another portion of the inner ear plug space 165 in front of the leading shell portion 139 (e.g., a portion of the inner ear plug space 165 that is closer to the inner ear plug front end 168 than the leading shell portion 139 is to the inner ear plug front end 168), such that the support member 166e also operates to ensure a minimum cross-sectional area for at least another portion of the inner ear plug space 165 to ensure an effective sound path for sound S through at least that portion of the inner ear plug space 165. In some embodiments, neither the leading shell portion 139 nor the leading sound emitting portion 149 can extend into the inner ear plug space 165, such that the inner ear plug space 165 can be completely hollow. In such cases, the flexibility of the inner ear plug body 164 may not be affected by any portion of the housing subassembly 130 or the sound-emitting subassembly 140, but may be affected by the inner ear plug internal support subsystem 166.

[0068] Each of the inner earplug internal support components 166a-166e of the inner earplug internal support subsystem 166 can be made of any suitable material (e.g., plastic and / or ceramic and / or metal). In addition, each of the inner earplug internal support components 166a-166e of the inner earplug internal support subsystem 166 can be formed using any suitable process (e.g., the molded support components 166a-166e can be insert-molded into the inner earplug body 164). In a specific embodiment, each of the inner earplug internal support components 166a-166e can be a multi-faceted ring. The inner earplug internal support subsystem 166 can provide internal support to the inner earplug body 164 having a variable or consistent stiffness, thereby ensuring an effective sound path for the sound S to pass through the inner earplug space 165 (e.g., the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the inner earplug space 165 can be maintained), while enabling specific portions of the earplug subassembly 150 to deform during use. For example, each of the support members 166a-166e can maintain its minimum cross-sectional dimensions at specific locations along the length of the inner earplug body 164 where those support members are located, while still allowing other portions of the inner earplug body 164 where those support members are not located to deform (e.g., bend) so that the earplug body 164 can be comfortably positioned within the user's ear canal while still maintaining an effective sound path. The materials, geometry, and stiffness of the support members, as well as the spacing between the support members, can all be selectively varied to control the functionality of the inner earplug internal support system 166.

[0069] Figure 5 and Figure 6

[0070] Figure 5 and Figure 6 Another exemplary earpiece 220 is shown, which may be similar to Figure 1-Figure 4 The earpiece 120 may include an inner earplug internal support system, which may also facilitate coupling the inner earplug portion to the earpiece housing subassembly and / or the sound-emitting subassembly. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The handset 220 may include a Figure 1-Figure 4 The components of the handset 120, wherein Figure 5 and Figure 6 The components of the handset 220 labeled with reference numerals "2xx" may correspond to Figure 1-Figure 4The earpiece 120 of the embodiment of the present invention is marked with the elements of the reference numeral "1xx", and the differences therebetween may be described below. As shown in the figure, the earpiece 220 may include a housing subassembly 230, a sound-emitting subassembly 240 for emitting sound S, and an earplug subassembly 250, and the earplug subassembly 250 may include an inner earplug portion 260 and an outer earplug portion 270 coupled to the inner earplug portion 260 at the interface 255. The inner earplug portion 260 may include an inner earplug body 264 that can extend between an inner earplug rear end 262 and an inner earplug front end 268, wherein an inner earplug inner surface 261 of the inner earplug body 264 and a relative inner earplug outer surface 269 of the inner earplug body 264 can both extend between the inner earplug rear end 262 and the inner earplug front end 268, and wherein an inner earplug space 265 can be defined by the inner earplug inner surface 261 and can extend between an inner earplug rear opening 263 that can be provided by the inner earplug rear end 262 and an inner earplug front opening 267 that can be provided by the inner earplug front end 268. The outer earplug portion 270 may include an outer earplug body 274 that can extend between the outer earplug rear end 272 and the outer earplug front end 278, wherein the outer earplug inner surface 271 of the outer earplug body 274 and the outer earplug outer surface 279 relative to the outer earplug body 274 can both extend between the outer earplug rear end 272 and the outer earplug front end 278, and wherein the outer earplug space 275 can be defined by the outer earplug inner surface 271 (for example, when at least a portion of the inner earplug body 264 is positioned between portions of the outer earplug inner surface 271, a portion of the space 275 can be defined between the outer earplug inner surface 271 and the inner earplug outer surface 269, and another portion of the space 275 can be occupied by the inner earplug body 264 and the inner earplug space 265), and can extend between the outer earplug rear end 272 and the outer earplug front end 278, while the outer earplug rear opening 273 can be provided by the outer earplug rear end 272, and the outer earplug front opening 277 can be provided by the outer earplug front end 278. like Figure 5 As shown, the outer earplug rear end 272 can be configured to be positioned beyond the inner earplug rear end 262, and optionally, even beyond the rear ends of the housing subassembly 230 and / or the sound emitting subassembly 240 (e.g., in the Z direction).

[0071] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the inner ear plug body 264 may be formed of a material or combination of materials that may be sufficiently rigid to prevent the shape of the inner ear plug space 265 from collapsing or changing, which would adversely affect the quality of the sound S transmitted through the inner ear plug space 265. In addition or alternatively, an inner ear plug internal support subsystem 266 may be provided to affect the stiffness of the inner ear plug portion 260. For example, Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the inner earplug internal support subsystem 266 may include one or more rigid or expandable components, such as a spring inner earplug internal support component 266s, which may be positioned within a portion of the inner earplug body 264 and surround a portion of the inner earplug space 265. The spring support component 266s may be any suitable type of spring, such as a coil spring made of any suitable material, and may extend between a first spring end 266sa and a second spring end 266sb. The material of the spring support component 266s may store energy when the component 266s is compressed or stretched or bent, but may then return to its natural configuration when unloaded. The spring component 266s may be shaped like a spiral or any other suitable spiral or otherwise suitably formed into a shape having any suitable torsional direction (e.g., a right-handed or left-handed spiral relative to a particular axis).

[0072] The spring support member 266s may be provided using any suitable process. For example, the spring support member 266s may be insert molded within the inner ear plug body 264. Alternatively, the spring support member 266s may be driven (e.g., screwed) into the inner ear plug body 264. For example, the spring end 266sa may be initially inserted upwardly through the inner ear plug rear end 262 in the +Z direction while also being inserted upwardly in the +Z direction. Figure 6 The spring support member 266s is rotated around the Z axis in the direction of arrow D until the spring support member 266s reaches a position relative to the inner earplug body 264. Figure 5 Alternatively, the spring end 266sb may be initially inserted downwardly through the inner earplug front end 268 in the -Z direction while also being inserted in the direction corresponding to the inner earplug front end 268. Figure 6 The spring support member 266s is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow D until the spring support member 266s reaches the position relative to the inner ear plug body 264. Figure 5 location.

[0073] At least a portion of the spring support member 266s of the inner ear plug internal support subsystem 266 may contact the inner ear plug body 264 in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the spring support member 266s may be provided around and against the outer surface 269 of the inner ear plug body 264 or against the inner surface 261 of the inner ear plug body 264 within the space 265. Alternatively, the spring support member 266s may be provided at least partially or entirely within the inner ear plug body 264 such that at least one end of the spring support member 266s may extend out from the inner ear plug body 264. For example, as Figure 5 As shown, the first portion of the spring support member 266s (eg, between the end 266sa and Figure 6 The portion 266st extending between the points 266sm and 266sm) can be positioned within the inner earplug body 264, and the second portion of the spring support member 266s (e.g., at Figure 6The portion 266sk extending between the point 266sm and the end 266sb of the inner earplug body 264 can be positioned outside the inner earplug body 264. Such a second portion of the spring support member 266s can be coupled to the earphone housing subassembly 230 and / or the sound emitting subassembly 240 for coupling the earphone housing subassembly 230 and the sound emitting subassembly 240 to the inner earplug portion 260. For example, Figure 5 As shown, while portion 266st of spring support member 266s can be retained within inner earplug body 264 (e.g., by being screwed into or having molded portion 266st embedded therein), portion 266sk of spring support member 266s can be retained within earphone housing subassembly 230 and / or sound-emitting subassembly 240 (e.g., by being screwed into or having molded portion 266sk embedded therein). In some embodiments, coupling earphone housing subassembly 230 and / or sound-emitting subassembly 240 to inner earplug body 264 using spring support member 266s in this way can avoid requiring any portion of earphone housing subassembly 230 and / or sound-emitting subassembly 240 to extend into inner earplug space 265 in order to perform such coupling (e.g., unlike front housing portion 139 and / or front sound-emitting portion 149 being positioned in inner earplug space 165). Figure 3 The inner earplug space 265 may be provided with a spring support member 266s, which may reduce the necessary length of the inner earplug space 265 (e.g., for achieving a shorter acoustic cavity) and / or may avoid the flexibility of the inner earplug body 264 from being unnecessarily affected by such a portion of the earphone housing subassembly 230 and / or the sound emitting subassembly 240 within the inner earplug space 265. In other embodiments, a portion 266st of the spring support member 266s may be coupled to the inner earplug body 264 near the inner earplug space 265 by being held against an outer surface 279 of the inner earplug body 264 or by being held against an inner surface 271 of the inner earplug body 264. Alternatively or in addition, a portion 266sk of the spring support member 266s may be coupled to the earphone housing subassembly 230 and / or the sound emitting subassembly 240 by being held against an outer surface or an inner surface of the housing subassembly 230 and / or the sound emitting subassembly 240.

[0074] The inner earplug internal support subsystem 266 may include a single spring support member 266s or may include any suitable number of different springs, which are provided as multiple different spring inner earplug internal support members of the inner earplug internal support subsystem 266, each of which can span a specific length of the inner earplug body 264, wherein such specific lengths may not overlap or at least partially overlap. Each spring support member of the inner earplug internal support subsystem 266 can be made of any suitable material (e.g., plastic and / or metal, such as a metal coil or a dense coil spring). In addition, each spring support member of the inner earplug internal support subsystem 266 can be formed using any suitable process and can have any suitable spring characteristics. The inner earplug internal support subsystem 266 can provide internal support to the inner earplug body 264 having a variable or uniform stiffness, thereby ensuring an effective sound path for the sound S through the inner earplug space 265 (e.g., the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the inner earplug space 265 can be maintained), while enabling specific portions of the earplug subassembly 250 to deform during use. For example, the spring support member 266s can maintain its minimum cross-sectional dimension at a particular portion along the length of the inner earplug body 264 (e.g., a constant cross-sectional dimension can be provided by a cylindrical spring, or the cross-sectional dimension can vary along the length of a conical spring), while still enabling other portions of the inner earplug body 264 to deform (e.g., bend) along with the spring support member 266s (e.g., the spring support member 266s can bend away from the Z-axis) so that the earplug body 264 can be comfortably positioned within the user's ear canal while still retaining an effective sound path. The material, geometry, and stiffness of each spring support member, as well as the spacing between the spring support member coils in their default configuration, can all be selectively varied to control the functionality of the inner earplug internal support system 266. Each coil of the spring support member 266s operates to provide a substantial cross-sectional stiffness (e.g., circumferential stiffness) to the inner earplug body 264 proximate a corresponding portion of the inner earplug space 265, while still enabling the outer earplug portion 270, and possibly even portions of the inner earplug body 264 extending between the two coils of the spring support member 266s, to conform to the bend and shape thereof when the earplug subassembly 250 is positioned in the ear canal of the user. For example, the inner earplug body 264 may be enabled to bend from a default configuration, in which the two coils of the spring support member 266s within the inner earplug body 264 may be parallel to each other (e.g., in parallel planes and / or such that the two coils of the spring support member 266s may extend about the same axis), to a deformed configuration, in which those two coils of the spring support member 266s within the inner earplug body 264 may be non-parallel to each other (e.g., in intersecting planes and / or such that the two coils of the spring support member 266s may extend about different axes).

[0075] Figure 7-Figure 11

[0076] Figure 7-Figure 11 Another exemplary earplug subassembly 350 is shown, which may be similar to Figure 1-Figure 4 The earplug subassembly 150 may include an outer earplug internal support subsystem having one or more support components that extend from the outer surface of the inner earplug body substantially transversely to the longitudinal length of the inner earplug body to change the effective stiffness of the outer surface of the outer earplug body to affect the ability of the outer earplug body to conform to various ear canal geometries. Figure 7-Figure 11 The earplug subassembly 350 may include a Figure 1-Figure 4 The earplug subassembly 150 is a component of Figure 7-Figure 11 The elements of the earplug subassembly 350 labeled with "3xx" reference numerals may correspond to Figure 1-Figure 4360 , and the differences therebetween may be described below. As shown, the earplug subassembly 350 may include an inner earplug portion 360 and an outer earplug portion 370 coupled to the inner earplug portion 360 at an interface 355. The inner earplug portion 360 may include an inner earplug body 364 that may extend between an inner earplug rear end 362 and an inner earplug front end 368, wherein an inner earplug inner surface 361 of the inner earplug body 364 and an inner earplug outer surface 369 of the inner earplug body 364 may both extend between the inner earplug rear end 362 and the inner earplug front end 368, and wherein an inner earplug space 365 may be defined by the inner earplug inner surface 361 and may extend between an inner earplug rear opening 363 that may be provided by the inner earplug rear end 362 and an inner earplug front opening 367 that may be provided by the inner earplug front end 368. The outer earplug portion 370 may include an outer earplug body 374 that can extend between the outer earplug rear end 372 and the outer earplug front end 378, wherein the outer earplug inner surface 371 of the outer earplug body 374 and the outer earplug outer surface 379 relative to the outer earplug body 374 can both extend between the outer earplug rear end 372 and the outer earplug front end 378, and wherein the outer earplug space 375 can be defined by the outer earplug inner surface 371 (for example, when at least a portion of the inner earplug body 364 is positioned between portions of the outer earplug inner surface 371, a portion of the space 375 can be defined between the outer earplug inner surface 371 and the inner earplug outer surface 369, and another portion of the space 375 can be occupied by the inner earplug body 364 and the inner earplug space 365), and can extend between the outer earplug rear end 372 and the outer earplug front end 378, while the outer earplug rear opening 373 can be provided by the outer earplug rear end 372, and the outer earplug front opening 377 can be provided by the outer earplug front end 378. Although not shown, the earbud subassembly 350 may include any suitable inner earbud internal support system, such as the inner earbud internal support system 166 of the earbud subassembly 150 or the inner earbud internal support system 266 of the earbud subassembly 250. Additionally or alternatively, although not shown, the earbud subassembly 350 may be coupled to any suitable housing subassembly and any suitable sound emitting subassembly in any suitable manner to provide any suitable earpiece for the earphone assembly.

[0077] The earplug subassembly 350 may include an outer earplug internal support subsystem 380 that operates to change the ability of the outer earplug outer surface 379 to conform to various ear canal geometries to improve the ability of the earplug subassembly 350 to form an effective acoustic seal and / or provide comfort to the user. The outer earplug internal support subsystem 380 operates to change the effective surface hardness of the earplug outer surface 379 along the length of the earplug outer surface 379 (e.g., from the outer earplug front end 378 to the outer earplug rear end 372) and / or around the perimeter of the earplug outer surface 379 (e.g., around at least a portion of the sound S path (e.g., around the Z axis in the XY plane)). The outer earplug internal support subsystem 380 can include one or more earplug internal support features (e.g., three earplug internal support features 381, 383, and 385), each of which can include one or more support members that can extend from the inner earplug outer surface 369 and around at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the inner earplug outer surface 369 (e.g., around at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the inner earplug space 565) at the anchor end toward a free end, and the free end can contact or approach a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 (e.g., as one or more lateral support members). Different earplug internal support features of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 380 can be spaced apart from each other longitudinally along the length of the inner earplug body 364 and / or along the length of the outer earplug inner surface 371, so that different earplug internal support features can operate to interact with different portions of the outer earplug inner surface 371 along the length of the outer earplug portion 370 (e.g., from the outer earplug front end 378 to the outer earplug rear end 372).

[0078] like Figure 8 and Fig. 9As shown, the outer earplug internal support subsystem 380 may include an outer earplug internal support feature 381 that may extend from the inner earplug outer surface 369 to the outer earplug inner surface 371 (e.g., through a portion of the outer earplug space 375). For example, the outer earplug internal support feature 381 may include a single support member 382 having a support body 382b that may extend outward from an anchor end 382a to a free end 382e, and the anchor end 382a may be coupled to or integrated with the inner earplug outer surface 369 about the entire perimeter of the inner earplug body 364. For example, in some embodiments, as shown, the thickness 382t of the support body 382b of the support member 382 between the front and rear surfaces of the support body 382b may be consistent along its entire length (e.g., between the anchor end 382a and the free end 382e). Alternatively, the thickness of the support body 382b of the support member 382 can vary as it extends from the inner ear plug body 364 (e.g., the thickness of the support body 382b can increase or decrease as the support body 382b approaches the free end 382e). For example, in some embodiments, as shown, the angle 382θ at which the support body 382 can extend from the outer surface 369 of the undeformed inner ear plug body 364 at the anchor end 382a can be 90°. Alternatively, the angle at which the support body 382b can extend from the undeformed inner ear plug body 364 at the anchor end 382a can be any other suitable angle greater than or less than 90° (e.g., see the angle at which the support body of the earplug internal support feature 385 can extend from the undeformed inner ear plug body 364). The support body 382b can extend linearly from the inner ear plug body 364 to the free end 382e at an angle 382θ. For example, in one particular embodiment, as shown, support body 382b can be a flat ring-shaped object (a three-dimensional torus) having front and rear surfaces that can be flat and / or parallel while extending between ends 382a and 382e, wherein free end 382e can intersect (e.g., contact or be adjacent to) a portion of outer earplug inner surface 371. Figure 7-Figure 11 In an undeformed configuration of the earplug subassembly 350 (e.g., a functional configuration of the earplug subassembly 350 when no external force is applied thereto, such as by a user), the free end 382e of the support body 382b of the support member 382 can contact the inner surface 371 of the outer earplug, or can be any appropriate distance 382ed away from the inner surface 371 of the outer earplug, wherein such distance 382ed can be small enough so that the outer earplug body 374 can close when receiving an external force (e.g., applied by the user's ear canal) on the outer surface 379 of the outer earplug, which external force can deform the outer earplug body 374 to contact at least a portion of the free end 382e of the support member 382 and may deform the support member 382 (e.g., to deform the support body 382b, thereby shortening the distance between the ends 382a and 382e of the support body 382b).

[0079] One or more wings may be provided to extend from the free end of the support body in any suitable direction such that at least a portion (e.g., a surface) of the wing may interface with (e.g., face, contact, and / or couple to) a portion of the inner surface of the outer ear plug body. The surface of the wing (e.g., an outer surface proximate the free end of the wing) operates to act as a spring-like interface with the outer ear plug body and / or provides a more expandable surface with which the support body may interact with the outer ear plug body (e.g., the surface may be constrained in size or shape compared to the free end of the support body and / or operates to clasp when an external force is applied to the free end of the support body in a direction opposite to the direction in which the support body extends from its support body anchoring end to its support body free end). For example, while the support body 382b of the support member 382 may extend substantially linearly between the ends 382a and 382e, a wing portion 382f may be provided at the free end 382e that operates to extend outwardly from the support body 382b (e.g., at any suitable wing angle 382fθ, such as 75°) to follow at least a portion of the contour of the outer earplug inner surface 371. For example, as shown, while the free end 382e of the body 382b may be the end of a support body 382b of substantially uniform thickness having a free end surface that may be similar to and / or parallel to the anchoring end 382a, a wing portion 382f may be provided to extend from at least a portion of the free end 382e to provide a portion of the support member 382 that operates to provide a greater surface area for interaction with the outer earplug inner surface 371. In its default configuration, the wing portion 382f can extend downwardly (e.g., by a distance 382fd) from a free end 382e having an outer wing surface 382fs that can be similarly shaped or otherwise configured to follow a contour shape similar to a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 that can be intersected by the outer wing surface 382fs (e.g., as shown in FIG. Figure 8), where such interface surfaces may contact or be positioned adjacent to each other when the earplug subassembly 350 may be in its default configuration. The wing 382f operates to provide a larger and more gradual interface between the portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 and the support member 382 during deformation of a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 than the free end 382e. For example, the wing 382f operates to act as a soft leaf spring to provide a certain stiffness to the portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 that may contact the outer wing surface 382fs during any attempted deformation of at least a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 (e.g., the material of the wing may have stiffness and room to flex (e.g., an anchor-shaped wing may facilitate such action), where the tunable parameters controlling the stiffness of such wing may be material selection, body thickness, degree and / or radius of such arc, and where the contact between the wing and the outer earplug inner surface may be configured to have a low angle and / or a wide angle to avoid concentrated contact points). Any wing of any support component of any external earplug internal support subsystem disclosed herein can be coupled to or integrated with the earplug body it intersects, or can simply contact the earplug body it intersects (e.g., always contacting the earplug body or only contacting after a specific deformation of the external earplug body). The wing of any support component of any external earplug internal support subsystem disclosed herein operates to adjust the geometry of the wing surface to at least partially match the geometry of the earplug body surface that the wing surface intersects (e.g., the contour of at least a portion of the wing surface can match the contour of at least a portion of the earplug body surface that the wing surface can intersect). This can be accomplished in any appropriate manner, such as by constructing the wing of a material that operates to conform to at least one contour of the surface it intersects (e.g., with respect to one, some, or all appropriate spatial dimensions) and / or by constructing the wing to have an appropriate contour in its default or undeformed configuration. Each part can be constructed in any suitable manner, such as molding the inner ear plug body, outer ear plug body, and internal support subsystem in a single shot using the same or different materials (for example, the inner ear plug body can be more rigid for support and the outer ear plug body can be softer for comfort), or formed in different shots and then coupled, or, for example, the inner ear plug body can be formed in a first shot and the internal support subsystem can then be formed in a second shot using the same or different materials as the first shot.

[0080] like Figure 8 and Fig.10As shown in , the outer earplug internal support subsystem 380 may include an outer earplug internal support feature 383, which may extend from the inner earplug outer surface 369 to the outer earplug inner surface 371 (e.g., through a portion of the outer earplug space 375). For example, the outer earplug internal support feature 383 may include four support components, such as a first support component 384-1 having a support body 384-1b, which may extend from an anchor end 384-1a to a free end 384-1e, which may be coupled to or integrated with the inner earplug outer surface 369 around a first portion of the periphery of the inner earplug body 364, a second support component 384-2 having a support body 384-2b, which may extend from the anchor end 384-2a to a free end 384-2e, which may be coupled to the inner earplug outer surface 369 around a second portion of the periphery of the inner earplug body 364, and a second support component 384-2e having a support body 384-2b, which may extend from the anchor end 384-2a to a free end 384-2e, which may be coupled to the inner earplug outer surface 369 around a second portion of the periphery of the inner earplug body 364. The inner earplug body 364 may be provided on or integrated with the outer surface 369 of the inner earplug, a third support member 384-3 having a support body 384-3b that may extend from an anchoring end 384-3a to a free end 384-3e that may be coupled to or integrated with the inner earplug outer surface 369 around a third portion of the periphery of the inner earplug body 364, and a fourth support member 384-4 having a support body 384-4b that may extend from an anchoring end 384-4a to a free end 384-4e that may be coupled to or integrated with the inner earplug outer surface 369 around a fourth portion of the periphery of the inner earplug body 364. As shown, each of the free ends 384-1e, 384-2e, 384-3e, and 384-4e may be provided at least partially in the same plane (e.g., Fig.10 ) such that each support component of the outer earplug internal support feature 383 operates to interface with (e.g., face, contact and / or couple to) a different portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 within a single cross-sectional perimeter thereof.

[0081] Different support members of the outer earplug internal support feature 383 can be configured with different geometries for differently sized portions of the perimeter facing the outer earplug inner surface 371. For example, each of support members 384-1 and 384-2 can be configured to have similar geometries on opposite sides of the inner earplug space 365, while each of support members 384-3 and 384-4 can be configured to have similar geometries on opposite sides of the inner earplug space 365, which can be offset from each of support members 384-1 and 384-2 relative to the inner earplug body 364 (e.g., offset by approximately 90°). Support member 384-1 can extend from the inner earplug outer surface 369 so that the free end 384-1e can engage with a smaller interface portion 379-1 (e.g., Fig.10The support member 384-3 may extend from the inner earplug outer surface 369 so that the free end 384-3e may intersect with (e.g., extend adjacent to) a larger interface portion 379-3 (e.g., 3.6° or 1% of the perimeter of the outer earplug inner surface 371 in the XY plane of the outer earplug) and the support member 384-3 may extend from the inner earplug outer surface 369 so that the free end 384-3e may intersect with the larger interface portion 379-3 (e.g., Fig.10 The free end 384-1e may be provided with a wing 384-1f along the entire circumference of the free end 384-1e, and the wing 384-1f may extend downward (e.g., following the contour of a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 that may intersect with the wing 384-1f). Similarly, the free end 384-2e may be provided with a wing 384-2f along the entire circumference of the free end 384-2e, and the wing 384-2f may extend downward (e.g., following the contour of a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 that may intersect with the wing 384-2f). Wing 384-3f may be provided at free end 384-3e only along a specific portion of the periphery of free end 384-3e, and wing 384-3f may extend downward or upward (e.g., following any contour of a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 that may intersect with wing 384-3f), and similarly, wing 384-4f may be provided at free end 384-4e only along a specific portion of the periphery of free end 384-4e, and wing 384-4f may extend downward or upward (e.g., following any contour of a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 that may intersect with wing 384-4f). Thus, the wing may extend from the entirety or only a portion of the periphery of the free end of the support member of the outer earplug internal support feature. In addition, as Fig.10 As shown, the geometry of the free end of the support member can be a variable distance from an adjacent portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 (for example, the outer surface of the free end 384-3e of the support member 384-3 facing the outer earplug inner surface 371 can have an irregular shape, so that different portions of the outer surface of the free end 384-3e can be at different minimum distances from the outer earplug inner surface 371 when the earplug subassembly 350 is in its default configuration, thereby enabling different portions of the free end 384-3e to provide different stiffnesses to the outer earplug inner surface 371).

[0082] Different support components of the outer earplug internal support feature 383 can be configured with different geometries to deform in different ways (e.g., in response to pressure exerted thereon by the outer earplug inner surface 371, in response to external forces exerted by the user to deform the outer earplug outer surface 379). Figure 8As shown, the geometry of the support body 384-1b of the first support member 384-1 in the default configuration may include one or more flexible features 384-1y, and one or more flexible features 384-1y operate to provide additional flexibility to the support body 384-1b. As just one embodiment, the flexible feature 384-1y operates to make the length of the front surface and / or the length of the rear surface of the support body 384-1b longer than the distance between the ends 384-1a and 384-1e of the support body 384-1b in the default configuration, so that the support body 384-1b operates to bend more easily outside the plane of such flexible feature 384-1y. One or more local cutouts, holes, notches or reduced thickness portions may be provided along any appropriate portion of the support body to change the flexibility of the support body. In addition or alternatively, the flexibility of the support body may be changed by using a tapered changing wall portion along its length or width, a portion of a constant thickness changing shape (e.g., adding an S shape in the main body plane, etc.), etc.

[0083] like Figure 8 and Fig.11 As shown, the outer earplug internal support subsystem 380 may include an outer earplug internal support feature 385, which may extend from the inner earplug outer surface 369 to the outer earplug inner surface 371 (e.g., through a portion of the outer earplug space 375). For example, the outer earplug internal support feature 385 may include two support components, such as a first support component 386-1 having a front support body 386-1bf and a rear support body 386-1bb, the front support body 386-1bf may extend from a front anchoring end 386-1af to a free end 386-1e, the front anchoring end 386-1af may be coupled to or integrated with the inner earplug outer surface 369 at the front portion of the inner earplug body 364, and the rear support body 386-1bb may extend from a rear anchoring end 386-1ab to the same free end 386-1e, the rear anchoring end 386-1ab may be coupled to the inner earplug outer surface 369 at the rear portion of the inner earplug body 364 The inner earplug outer surface 369 or integrated therewith, and a second support member 386-2 having a left support body 386-2bl and a right support body 386-2br, the left support body 386-2bl can extend from the left anchoring end 386-2al to the free end 386-2e, the left anchoring end 386-2al can be coupled to the inner earplug outer surface 369 or integrated therewith at the left portion of the inner earplug body 364, and the right support body 386-2br can extend from the right anchoring end 386-2ar to the free end 386-2e, the right anchoring end 386-2ar can be coupled to the inner earplug outer surface 369 or integrated therewith at the right portion of the inner earplug body 364. As shown in the figure, each of the free ends 386-1e and 386-2e can be provided at least partially in the same plane (for example, Fig.11) such that each support component of the outer earplug internal support feature 385 operates to interface with a different portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 within a single cross-sectional perimeter thereof.

[0084] Different portions of the wing may extend from the free end of the support body in different directions to interface with different portions of the inner surface of the outer earplug. Figure 8 As shown, a wing 386-1f may be provided at the free end 386-1e along a portion or the entirety of the free end 386-1e, an upward portion 386-1fu of the wing 386-1f may extend upward from the free end 386-1e (e.g., following the contour of a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 extending toward the front end 378 that may intersect with the upwardly extending portion of the wing 386-1f), and a downward portion 386-1fd of the wing 386-1f may extend downward from the free end 386-1e (e.g., following the contour of a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 extending toward the rear end 372 that may intersect with the downwardly extending portion of the wing 386-1f). Alternatively or in addition, as Fig.11 As shown, a wing 386-1f can be provided at the free end 386-1e along a portion or the entirety of the free end 386-1e, and a leftward portion 386-1fl of the wing 386-1f can extend leftward from the free end 386-1e (for example, extending along a sound S path (for example, around the Z axis) along the clockwise direction of the outer earplug inner surface 371 around the inner earplug space 365, and can intersect with the contour of a portion of the leftward extending portion of the wing 386-1f), and a rightward portion 386-1fr of the wing 386-1f can extend rightward from the free end 386-1e (for example, extending along a sound S path (for example, around the Z axis) along the outer earplug inner surface 371 around the inner earplug space 365 in a counterclockwise direction, and can intersect with the contour of a portion of the rightward extending portion of the wing 386-1f). Thus, different wings can extend from the free end of a particular support in opposite directions (e.g., up and down, or left and right), and / or different wings can extend from the free end of a particular support in substantially perpendicular directions (e.g., up and right or left, or down and right or left). Different portions of a wing coupled to a particular support or different wings (e.g., upward portion 386-1fu and downward portion 386-1fd) can be configured to have different stiffnesses to impart different flexibility properties to corresponding different portions of the earplug body surface that those different wings may interface with (e.g., during deformation of the outer earplug body 374 when the earplug subassembly 350 is located in the ear canal of a user).

[0085] In some embodiments, rather than providing wings for the support member, the free end of the support body of the support member may be shaped to follow the contour of a portion of the inner surface of the outer earplug. Figure 8and Fig.11 As shown, the shape of the outer surface of the free end 386-2e of the support member 386-2 can be set to match the contour of a portion of the inner surface 371 of the outer earplug that may intersect with the support member 386-2. Figure 8 As shown, the first geometry of the outer surface of the free end 386-2e operates to match the geometry of a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 in the YZ plane (e.g., along the length of the portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371) and / or, as shown Fig.11 As shown, the second geometry of the outer surface of the free end 386-2e operates to match the geometry of a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 in the XY plane (e.g., along a cross-sectional perimeter of a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371).

[0086] Different support components of the outer earplug internal support feature 385 can be configured with different geometries to deform in different ways (e.g., in response to pressure exerted thereon by the outer earplug inner surface 371, in response to external forces exerted by the user to deform the outer earplug outer surface 379). Figure 8 As shown, the geometry of the support member 386-1 may include two different support bodies (e.g., a front support body 386-1bf and a rear support body 386-1bb), which may extend along the length of the inner ear plug body 364 from different anchor points (e.g., a first anchor point at an anchor end 386-1af that may be closer to the front end 368 of the inner ear plug body 364, and a second anchor point at an anchor end 386-1ab that may be closer to the rear end 362 of the inner ear plug body 364) to the same free end 386-1e, for defining a longitudinal space 386-1s therebetween, which may be deformed (e.g., in the longitudinal space 386-1s) when the outer ear plug body 374 applies an external force to the wing portion 386-1f. Figure 8 As another embodiment, Fig.11 As shown, the geometry of the support member 386-2 may include two different supports (e.g., a left support 386-2bl and a right support 386-2br) that may extend from the same or different anchor points around the periphery of the inner ear plug body 364 to the same free end 386-2e to define a lateral or radial space 386-2s therebetween that may deform when the outer ear plug body 374 applies an external force to the wing portion 386-2f (e.g., Fig.11 In some embodiments, instead of providing two supports by support member 386-1 or support member 386-2, only one of such supports may be provided, thereby changing the stiffness of the support member and thus changing the effective surface hardness of the portion of the outer earplug inner surface 371 that may intersect with the wing or free end of the support member 386-1 or the support member 386-2.

[0087] The earplug internal support features 381, 383, and 385 of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 380 can be spaced apart from one another along the length of the inner earplug body 164 (e.g., along the Z-axis) in any suitable manner. For example, each pair of successively positioned earplug internal support features can be equally spaced apart from one another along the length of the inner earplug body 164 (e.g., the spacing distance 389a between the internal support feature 381 and the internal support feature 383 can be the same as the spacing distance 389b between the internal support feature 383 and the internal support feature 385). Alternatively, the spacing between different pairs of successively positioned earplug internal support features can vary along the length of the inner earplug body 164 (e.g., the spacing distance 389a can be shorter or longer than the spacing distance 389b).

[0088] Any portion or the entirety of one or more outer earplug internal support features of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 380 (e.g., the support body and / or wings of the earplug internal support features 381, 383, and 385) can be formed of any suitable material, which can be the same or different than the material of the inner earplug body 364. In addition, one or more outer earplug internal support features of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 380 (e.g., one or more of the support bodies of the earplug internal support features 381, 383, and 385) can be coupled to the inner earplug portion 360 using any suitable method or mechanism (e.g., using one or more anchoring ends at one or more portions of the inner earplug outer surface 369), including but not limited to any suitable adhesive (e.g., glue or tape), any suitable gasket, any suitable heat melt or other heat treatment, any suitable interference fit, any suitable mechanical connector, etc. Additionally or alternatively, one or more external earplug internal support features (e.g., earplug internal support features 381, 383, and 385) of the external earplug internal support subsystem 380 may be molded to or otherwise integrated with the inner earplug portion 360 using any suitable process (e.g., in a single-shot or double-shot molding process). Any portion or the entirety of one or more support bodies of one or more support components of one or more external earplug internal support features of the external earplug internal support subsystem may be formed of any suitable material, which may be the same or different material as any portion or the entirety of one or more wings of one or more support components of one or more external earplug internal support features of the external earplug internal support subsystem. Furthermore, any wing of any earplug internal support feature of the external earplug internal support subsystem may be coupled to any support body of any earplug internal support feature of the external earplug internal support subsystem using any suitable method or mechanism, including but not limited to any suitable adhesive (e.g., glue or tape), any suitable gasket, any suitable hot melt or other heat treatment, any suitable interference fit, any suitable mechanical connector, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, any wing portion of any earplug internal support feature of the external earplug internal support subsystem may be molded to or otherwise integrated with any support body of any earplug internal support feature of the external earplug internal support subsystem using any suitable process (e.g., in a single-shot or double-shot molding process).

[0089] Figure 12-16

[0090] Figure 12-Figure 15 Another exemplary earplug subassembly 450 is shown, which may be similar to Figure 1-Figure 4The earplug subassembly 150 may include an outer earplug internal support subsystem having one or more support components, which extend from the outer surface of the inner earplug body substantially along the longitudinal length of the inner earplug body, and are used to change the effective stiffness of the outer surface of the outer earplug body to affect the ability of the outer earplug body to conform to various ear canal geometries. Figure 12-16 The earplug subassembly 450 may include a Figure 1-Figure 4 The earplug subassembly 150 is a component of Figure 12-16 The elements of the earplug subassembly 450 labeled with reference numerals "4xx" may correspond to Figure 1-Figure 4 4. The earplug subassembly 450 of the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and the differences therebetween are described below. As shown, the earplug subassembly 450 may include an inner earplug portion 460 and an outer earplug portion 470 coupled to the inner earplug portion 460 at the interface 455. The inner earplug portion 460 may include an inner earplug body 464 that may extend between an inner earplug rear end 462 and an inner earplug front end 468, wherein an inner earplug inner surface 461 of the inner earplug body 464 and an inner earplug outer surface 469 of the inner earplug body 464 may both extend between the inner earplug rear end 462 and the inner earplug front end 468, and wherein an inner earplug space 465 may be defined by the inner earplug inner surface 461 and may extend between an inner earplug rear opening 463 that may be provided by the inner earplug rear end 462 and an inner earplug front opening 467 that may be provided by the inner earplug front end 468. The outer earplug portion 470 may include an outer earplug body 474 that can extend between the outer earplug rear end 472 and the outer earplug front end 478, wherein the outer earplug inner surface 471 of the outer earplug body 474 and the outer earplug outer surface 479 relative to the outer earplug body 474 can both extend between the outer earplug rear end 472 and the outer earplug front end 478, and wherein the outer earplug space 475 can be defined by the outer earplug inner surface 471 (for example, when at least a portion of the inner earplug body 464 is positioned between portions of the outer earplug inner surface 471, a portion of the space 475 can be defined between the outer earplug inner surface 471 and the inner earplug outer surface 469, and another portion of the space 475 can be occupied by the inner earplug body 464 and the inner earplug space 465), and can extend between the outer earplug rear end 472 and the outer earplug front end 478, while the outer earplug rear opening 473 can be provided by the outer earplug rear end 472, and the outer earplug front opening 477 can be provided by the outer earplug front end 478. Although not shown, the earbud subassembly 450 may include any suitable inner earbud internal support system, such as the inner earbud internal support system 166 of the earbud subassembly 150 or the inner earbud internal support system 266 of the earbud subassembly 250. Additionally or alternatively, although not shown, the earbud subassembly 450 may be coupled to any suitable housing subassembly and any suitable sound emitting subassembly in any suitable manner to provide any suitable earpiece for the earphone assembly.

[0091] The earplug subassembly 450 may include an outer earplug internal support subsystem 480 that operates to change the ability of the outer earplug outer surface 479 to conform to various ear canal geometries to improve the ability of the earplug subassembly 450 to form an effective acoustic seal and / or provide comfort to the user. The outer earplug internal support subsystem 480 operates to change the effective surface hardness of the earplug outer surface 479 along the earplug outer surface 479 (e.g., from the outer earplug front end 478 to the outer earplug rear end 472) and / or around the perimeter of the earplug outer surface 479 (e.g., around at least a portion of the sound S path (e.g., around the Z axis in the XY plane)). The outer earplug internal support subsystem 480 may include one or more earplug internal support features (e.g., three earplug internal support features 481, 483, and 485), each of which may include one or more support members, the one or more support members may extend from the inner earplug outer surface 469 and along at least a portion of the length of the inner earplug outer surface 469 at the anchor end toward the free end, and the free end may contact or approach a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471 (e.g., as one or more longitudinal support members). Different earplug internal support features of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 480 may be spaced apart from each other longitudinally along the length of the inner earplug body 464 and / or along the length of the outer earplug inner surface 471, so that different earplug internal support features may operate to interact with different portions of the outer earplug inner surface 471 along the length of the outer earplug portion 470 (e.g., from the outer earplug front end 478 to the outer earplug rear end 472).

[0092] like Fig.13 and Fig.14As shown, the outer earplug internal support subsystem 480 may include an outer earplug internal support feature 481, which may extend from the inner earplug outer surface 469 to the outer earplug inner surface 471 (e.g., through a portion of the outer earplug space 475). For example, the outer earplug internal support feature 481 may include one or more support components, such as a first support component 482-1 having a support body 482-1b, which may extend from an anchor end 482-1a to a free end 482-1e, which may be coupled to or integrated with the inner earplug outer surface 469 along a first longitudinal portion of the inner earplug body 464, and a second support component 482-2 having a support body 482-2b, which may extend from the anchor end 482-2a to the free end 482-2e, which may be coupled to the inner earplug outer surface 469 along a second longitudinal portion of the inner earplug body 464. The inner earplug body 464 may be connected to or integrated with the inner earplug outer surface 469, and may include a third support member 482-3 having a support body 482-3b that may extend from an anchor end 482-3a to a free end 482-3e that may be coupled to or integrated with the inner earplug outer surface 469 along a third portion of the inner earplug body 464, and / or a fourth support member 482-4 having a support body 482-4b that may extend from an anchor end 482-4a to a free end 482-4e that may be coupled to or integrated with the inner earplug outer surface 469 along a fourth portion of the inner earplug body 464. The depth of the support body may be consistent or vary along the length of the support body. For example, as shown in the figure, the depth 482-1d of the support body 482-1b of the support member 482-1 between the relative surfaces of the support body 482-1b (for example, between the anchoring end 482-1a and the free end 482-1e) can be consistent along its entire length, while the depth 482-2d of the support body 482-2b of the support member 482-2 between the relative surfaces of the support body 482-2b can vary along at least a portion of its length (for example, between the anchoring end 482-2a and the free end 482-2e).

[0093] and Figure 7-Figure 11 The outer earplug internal support subsystem 380 has one or more different supports, wherein the thickness of the support can be significantly smaller than the depth of the support (e.g., wherein the support 382b is along the Figure 8 The thickness 382t in the Z direction of the YZ plane can be around Fig. 9 The depth of the support body 382b extending in all directions along the Z axis in the XY plane is relatively minimum), Figure 12-16 The thickness of the support body of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 480 can be significantly greater than the depth of the support body (for example, where the support body 482-1b is along the Fig.13 The thickness 482-1t in the Z direction of the YZ plane can be relative to Fig.14 The depth 482-1d of the support body 482-1b may be large compared to the minimum distance the Z-axis in the XY plane extends relative to). Therefore, the support components of the external ear plug internal support subsystem 480 may be considered longitudinal support components compared to the support components of the external ear plug internal support subsystem 380, which may be considered lateral support components. For example, in one particular embodiment, as shown, the support body 482-1b may be a thin, flat, rudder-like object having opposing side surfaces that may be flat and / or parallel for defining a depth 482-1d therebetween, wherein the free end 482-1e may contact or be adjacent to the external ear plug inner surface 471. Figure 12-16 In an undeformed configuration of the earplug subassembly 450 (e.g., a functional configuration of the earplug subassembly 450 when no external force is applied thereto, such as by a user), the free end 482-1e of the support body 482-1b of the support member 482-1 can contact the inner surface 471 of the outer earplug, or can be any appropriate spacing distance from the inner surface 471 of the outer earplug, wherein such spacing distance can be small enough so that the outer earplug body 474 can close when receiving an external force (e.g., applied by the user's ear canal) on the outer surface 479 of the outer earplug, the external force can deform the outer earplug body 474 to contact at least a portion of the free end 482-1e of the support member 482-1, and may deform the support member 482-1 (e.g., to deform the support body 482-1b, thereby shortening the distance between the ends 482-1a and 482-1e of the support body 482-1b). Support body 482-2b may be similarly shaped, except that, for example, depth 482-2d may vary in any suitable manner between ends 482-2a and 482-2e.

[0094] Different support components of the outer earplug internal support feature 481 can be configured with different geometric shapes to deform in different ways (e.g., in response to pressure exerted thereon by the outer earplug inner surface 471, in response to external forces from the user to deform the outer earplug outer surface 479). Fig.14As shown, the geometry of the support body 482-1b of the first support member 482-1 in the default configuration can be substantially linear along its entire length (e.g., along the rear surface 482-1br between the anchoring end 482-1a and the free end 482-1e), while the geometry of the support body 482-2b can include one or more flexible features 482-2y (e.g., along the rear surface 482-2br between the anchoring end 482-2a and the free end 482-2e) that operate to provide additional flexibility to the support body 482-2b. As just one example, the flexible features 482-2y operate to make the length of the front surface and / or the length of the rear surface 482-2br of the support body 482-2b longer than the distance between the ends 482-2a and 482-2e of the support body 482-2b in the default configuration, so that the support body 482-2b operates to more easily flex out of the plane of such flexible features 482-2y. One or more local cutouts, holes, notches or reduced thickness portions may be provided along any suitable portion of the support body to vary the flexibility of the support body. Additionally or alternatively, the flexibility of the support body may be varied using tapered varying wall portions along its length or width, portions of varying shapes of constant thickness (e.g., adding an S-shape within the plane of the body, etc.), varying the coupling dimensions of the support body between the anchoring end and the inner earplug body, etc.

[0095] Although the support body 482-1b of the support member 482-1 may extend substantially linearly between the ends 482-1a and 482-1e in any particular cross-section intersecting the inner earplug body 464 (e.g., in an XY plane intersecting the Z axis, such as Fig.14 As shown), a wing portion 482-1f can be provided at the free end 482-1e, which operates to extend away from the support body 482-1b within such a specific cross-section (for example, at any appropriate wing angle 482-1fθ, such as 85°) to follow at least a portion of the contour of the outer earplug inner surface 471 (for example, a portion of the periphery of the outer earplug inner surface 471 that can extend around at least a portion of the sound S path (for example, around the Z axis in the XY plane)). For example, the wing portion 482-1f can extend from the free end 482-1e of the support member 482-1 and along any appropriate portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471 (for example, along approximately 25% of the outer earplug inner surface 471 toward the adjacent support member 482-4, as shown). Fig.14 ), and the wing portion 482-4f can extend from the free end 482-4e of the support member 482-4 and along any suitable portion of the inner surface 471 of the outer earplug (for example, along about 95% of the inner surface 471 of the outer earplug toward the adjacent support member 482-2, as shown in Fig.14In its default configuration, wing 482-1f can extend from free end 482-1e in a counterclockwise direction about the Z axis, and the outer wing surface can be formed into a similar shape or otherwise follow a contour shape similar to a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471 that can face the outer wing surface of wing 482-1f (e.g., as shown in FIG. Fig.14 ), where such surfaces may contact or be positioned adjacent to each other when the earplug subassembly 450 may be in its default configuration. Wing 482-1f operates to provide a larger and more gradual interface between at least a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471 and the support member 482-1 during deformation of a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471 than free end 482-1e. For example, wing 482-1f operates to act as a soft leaf spring for providing some stiffness to at least a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471, which portion may contact the outer wing surface of wing 482-f during any attempted deformation of that portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471.

[0096] like Fig.14 As shown, each of the support members 482-1, 482-2, 482-3 and 482-4 can include a corresponding wing portion, which can extend from the corresponding free end in a counterclockwise direction around the Z axis and have an external wing surface whose shape can be similar to or otherwise follow a contour shape similar to a portion of the external wing surface on the inner surface 471 of the outer earplug that can face the corresponding wing portion. For example, wing 482-1f can extend from free end 482-1e in a counterclockwise direction around the Z axis, and its contour is similar to the adjacent portion of the inner surface 471 of the outer ear plug, wing 482-2f can extend from free end 482-2e in a counterclockwise direction around the Z axis, and its contour is similar to the adjacent portion of the inner surface 471 of the outer ear plug, wing 482-3f can extend from free end 482-3e in a counterclockwise direction around the Z axis, and its contour is similar to the adjacent portion of the inner surface 471 of the outer ear plug, and wing 482-4f can extend from free end 482-4e in a counterclockwise direction around the Z axis, and its contour is similar to the adjacent portion of the inner surface 471 of the outer ear plug.

[0097] like Fig.13 and Fig.15As shown, the outer earplug internal support subsystem 480 may include an outer earplug internal support feature 483, which may extend from the inner earplug outer surface 469 to the outer earplug inner surface 471 (e.g., through a portion of the outer earplug space 475). For example, the outer earplug internal support feature 483 may include one or more support components, such as a first support component 484-1 having a support body 484-1b, which may extend from an anchor end 484-1a to a free end 484-1e, which may be coupled to or integrated with the inner earplug outer surface 469 along a fifth longitudinal portion of the inner earplug body 464, and a second support component 484-2 having a support body 484-2b, which may extend from the anchor end 484-2a to the free end 484-2e, which may be coupled to the inner earplug outer surface 469 along a sixth longitudinal portion of the inner earplug body 464. Connected to or integrated with the outer surface 469 of the inner ear plug, a third support component 484-3 having a support body 484-3b, which can extend from the anchoring end 484-3a to the free end 484-3e, and the anchoring end 484-3a can be coupled to or integrated with the outer surface 469 of the inner ear plug along the seventh portion of the inner ear plug body 464, and a fourth support component 484-4 having a support body 484-4b, which can extend from the anchoring end 484-4a to the free end 484-4e, and the anchoring end 484-4a can be coupled to or integrated with the outer surface 469 of the inner ear plug along the eighth portion of the inner ear plug body 464. The rotational orientation (e.g., about the longitudinal Z-axis of the inner ear plug space 465) of the fifth longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchor end 484-1a of the support member 484-1 can be the same as the rotational orientation of the first longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchor end 482-1a of the support member 482-1, and the rotational orientation of the sixth longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchor end 484-2a of the support member 484-2 can be the same as the rotational orientation of the second longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchor end 482-2a of the support member 482-2. The rotational orientation of the seventh longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchor end 484-3a of the support member 484-3 may be the same as the rotational orientation of the third longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchor end 482-3a of the support member 482-3, and the rotational orientation of the eighth longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchor end 484-4a of the support member 484-4 may be the same as the rotational orientation of the fourth longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchor end 482-4a of the support member 482-4. However, the geometric shapes (e.g., thickness or depth) of any two such support members with similar rotational orientations may be different or the same.

[0098] Additionally or alternatively, the stiffness (e.g., flexibility) of any two such similarly rotationally oriented support members may be different or the same. For example, while wing 482-1f of support member 482-1 may extend in a counterclockwise direction about the Z-axis with a profile similar to that of an adjacent portion of outer earplug inner surface 471, wing 484-1f of support member 484-1 may extend in a clockwise direction about the Z-axis with a profile similar to that of an adjacent portion of outer earplug inner surface 471, even though support members 482-1 and support members 484-1 are rotationally similarly oriented (e.g., radially from inner earplug body 464 in the same rotational orientation relative to the same Z-axis (e.g., Fig.13 As another embodiment, although the wing 482-2f of the support member 482-2 can extend in a counterclockwise direction around the Z-axis with a profile similar to that of an adjacent portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471, the wing 484-2f of the support member 484-2 can extend in a clockwise direction around the Z-axis with a profile similar to that of an adjacent portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471, although the support members 482-2 and the support members 484-2 have similar rotational orientations (e.g., radially from the inner earplug body 464 with the same rotational orientation relative to the same Z-axis (e.g., Fig.13 As another embodiment, although wing portion 482-3f of support member 482-3 may extend in a counterclockwise direction about the Z-axis with a profile similar to that of an adjacent portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471, support member 484-3 may not include any wing extending in any direction from end portion 484-3e, even though support member 482-3 and support member 484-3 are similarly rotationally oriented (e.g., radially from inner earplug body 464 in the same rotational orientation relative to the same Z-axis (e.g., Fig.14 and Fig.15 As another embodiment, although wing portion 482-4f of support member 482-4 may extend in a counterclockwise direction about the Z-axis with a profile similar to that of an adjacent portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471, support member 484-4 may not include any wing extending in any direction from end portion 484-4e, even though support member 482-4 and support member 484-4 are similarly rotationally oriented (e.g., radially from inner earplug body 464 in the same rotational orientation relative to the same Z-axis (e.g., Fig.14 and Fig.15 +X direction) extension).

[0099] like Fig.13 and Fig.16As shown, the outer earplug internal support subsystem 480 may include an outer earplug internal support feature 485, which may extend from the inner earplug outer surface 469 to the outer earplug inner surface 471 (e.g., through a portion of the outer earplug space 475). For example, the outer earplug internal support feature 485 may include one or more support components, such as a first support component 486-1 having a support body 486-1b, which may extend from an anchor end 486-1a to a free end 486-1e, which may be coupled to or integrated with the inner earplug outer surface 469 along the ninth longitudinal portion of the inner earplug body 464, and a second support component 486-2 having a support body 486-2b, which may extend from an anchor end 484-6a to a free end 484-6e, which may be coupled to the inner earplug outer surface 469 along the tenth longitudinal portion of the inner earplug body 464. To the outer surface 469 of the inner ear plug or integrated therewith, a third support component 486-3 having a support body 486-3b, which support body 486-3b can extend from the anchoring end 486-3a to the free end 486-3e, and the anchoring end 486-3a can be coupled to the outer surface 469 of the inner ear plug along the eleventh portion of the inner ear plug body 464 or integrated therewith, and a fourth support component 486-4 having a support body 486-4b, which support body 486-4b can extend from the anchoring end 486-4a to the free end 486-4e, and the anchoring end 486-4a can be coupled to the outer surface 469 of the inner ear plug along the twelfth portion of the inner ear plug body 464 or integrated therewith.The rotational orientation of the ninth longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchoring end 486-1a of the support component 486-1 (for example, around the longitudinal Z-axis of the inner ear plug space 465) can be between the rotational orientation of the first longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchoring end 482-1a of the support component 482-1 and the rotational orientation of the third longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchoring end 482-3a of the support component 482-3, and the rotational orientation of the tenth longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchoring end 486-2a of the support component 486-2 (for example, around the longitudinal Z-axis of the inner ear plug space 465) can be between the rotational orientation of the third longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchoring end 482-3a of the support component 482-3 and the rotational orientation of the second longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchoring end 482-2a of the support component 482-2. The rotational orientation of the eleventh longitudinal portion of the plug body 464 coupled to the anchoring end 486-3a of the support part 486-3 (for example, around the longitudinal Z-axis of the inner ear plug space 465) can be between the rotational orientation of the second longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchoring end 482-2a of the support part 482-2 and the rotational orientation of the fourth longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchoring end 482-4a of the support part 482-4, and the rotational orientation of the twelfth longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchoring end 486-4a of the support part 486-4 (for example, around the longitudinal Z-axis of the inner ear plug space 465) can be between the rotational orientation of the fourth longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchoring end 482-4a of the support part 482-4 and the rotational orientation of the first longitudinal portion of the inner ear plug body 464 coupled to the anchoring end 482-1a of the support part 482-1.

[0100] The stiffness (e.g., flexibility) of any two such rotationally offset support members can be different or the same. For example, just as wing 482-1f of support member 482-1 can extend in a counterclockwise direction about the Z-axis with a profile similar to that of an adjacent portion of outer earplug inner surface 471, wing 486-1f of support member 486-1 can extend in a counterclockwise direction about the Z-axis with a profile similar to that of an adjacent portion of outer earplug inner surface 471, even though support members 482-1 and support members 486-1 are in an offset rotational orientation (e.g., a 45° rotational orientation offset). As another embodiment, just as wing 482-2f of support member 482-1 can extend in a counterclockwise direction about the Z axis with a profile similar to that of an adjacent portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471, wing 486-2f of support member 486-1 can extend in a counterclockwise direction about the Z axis with a profile similar to that of an adjacent portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471, although support member 482-1 and support member 486-1 are offset in rotational orientation (e.g., a 45° rotational orientation offset). As another embodiment, just as wing 482-4f of support member 482-4 can extend in a counterclockwise direction about the Z axis with a profile similar to that of an adjacent portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471, wing 486-3f of support member 486-3 can extend in a counterclockwise direction about the Z axis with a profile similar to that of an adjacent portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471, although support member 482-4 and support member 486-3 are offset in rotational orientation (e.g., a 45° rotational orientation offset). As another example, just as wing 482-4f of support member 482-4 can extend in a counterclockwise direction about the Z-axis with a profile similar to an adjacent portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471, wing 486-4f of support member 486-4 can extend in a counterclockwise direction about the Z-axis with a profile similar to an adjacent portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471, even though support member 482-4 and support member 486-4 have an offset rotational orientation (e.g., a 45° rotational orientation offset). The geometry of the wings of any two such rotationally offset support members can be different or the same. For example, even though each of wings 482-1f, 482-2f, 482-3f, and 482-4f can have a consistent width (e.g., width 482-2fd of wing 482-2f can be the same along the entire length of wing 482-2f as it extends away from end 482-2e, as shown in FIG. 2 ), wing 486-4f of support member 486-4 can extend in a counterclockwise direction about the Z-axis with a profile similar to an adjacent portion of the outer earplug inner surface 471. Fig.14 As shown), the width of the wing of the rotationally offset support member can have a variable width (for example, the width 486-2fd of the wing 486-2f can increase along the entire length of the wing 486-2f as it extends from the end 486-2e, as shown Fig.16 shown).

[0101] Different support bodies of different support components of a specific earplug internal support feature of an earplug subassembly can be oriented rotationally offset from each other (e.g., in a single cross-sectional plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the earplug subassembly), which operates to provide a variable effective surface hardness to the outer earplug body of the earplug subassembly at a specific peripheral portion of the inner earplug body within a plane tangent to the specific axis of the earplug subassembly. Alternatively or in addition, support bodies of support components of a first earplug internal support feature of a specific outer earplug internal support subsystem of an earplug subassembly can be oriented rotationally offset from support bodies of support components of a second earplug internal support feature of the same specific outer earplug internal support subsystem of the earplug subassembly (e.g., in parallel cross-sectional planes at corresponding longitudinal intervals transverse to the longitudinal axis of the earplug subassembly), which operates to provide a variable effective surface hardness to the outer earplug body of the earplug subassembly along a specific peripheral portion of the outer earplug body within the specific longitudinal plane of the earplug subassembly. For example, as Figure 13-Figure 16 As shown, not only can the different supports 482-1b, 482-2b, 482-3b and 482-4b (or free ends) of the corresponding different support members 482-1, 482-2, 482-3 and 482-4 of the earplug internal support feature 481 of the earplug subassembly 480 be rotated and offset relative to each other (for example, generally 90° between the supports 482-1b and 482-3b, another 90° between the supports 482-3b and 482-2b, another 90° between the supports 482-2b and 482-4b, and another 90° between the supports 482-4b and 482-1b, as shown in FIG. Fig.14 The earplug subassembly 450 may be rotated clockwise about a longitudinal axis Z in a single cross-sectional plane that intersects the longitudinal axis), and the support body 482-1b of the support member 482-1 of the earplug internal support feature 481 of the external earplug internal support subsystem 480 of the earplug subassembly 450 may be rotated to an offset orientation (e.g., generally about a longitudinal axis Z in a single cross-sectional plane that intersects the longitudinal axis). Fig.14 and Fig.16 Thus, the various support components of the external earplug internal support subsystem 480 operate to tangent to a particular axis of the earplug subassembly 450 (e.g., in a plane tangent to the longitudinal axis Z in a corresponding longitudinally spaced parallel cross-sectional plane that intersects the longitudinal axis). Fig.14 in the plane of and / or Fig.16 a specific peripheral portion of the outer earplug body 474 in a specific longitudinal plane along the earplug subassembly 450 (e.g., in a plane of Fig.13 plane) to provide a variable effective surface hardness to the outer earplug body 474 of the earplug subassembly 450.

[0102] Different wings of different support components of a specific earplug internal support feature of an earplug subassembly may extend in different directions from one another (e.g., in a single cross-sectional plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the earplug subassembly), which operates to provide a variable effective surface hardness to a specific peripheral portion of the outer earplug body of the earplug subassembly within a plane tangent to the specific axis of the earplug subassembly. Alternatively or in addition, wings of a support component of a first earplug internal support feature of a specific outer earplug internal support subsystem of an earplug subassembly may extend in different directions from wings of a support component of a second earplug internal support feature of the same specific outer earplug internal support subsystem of the earplug subassembly (e.g., in parallel cross-sectional planes at corresponding longitudinal intervals transverse to the longitudinal axis of the earplug subassembly), which operates to provide a variable effective surface hardness to the outer earplug body of the earplug subassembly along a specific peripheral portion of the outer earplug body within the specific longitudinal plane of the earplug subassembly. For example, as Figure 13-Figure 16 As shown, not only can the different wings 484-1f and 484-4f of the corresponding different support members 484-1 and 484-4 of the earplug internal support feature 483 of the earplug subassembly 480 extend in different directions from each other (e.g., as shown in FIG. Fig.15 With respect to the longitudinal axis in a single cross-sectional plane transverse to the longitudinal axis Z, wing 484-1f can extend approximately clockwise from end 484-1e about axis Z, while wing 484-4f can extend approximately counterclockwise from end 484-4e about axis Z), and wing 482-1f of support portion 482-1 of earplug internal support feature portion 481 of external earplug internal support subsystem 480 of earplug subassembly 450 can extend in different directions (for example, with respect to the longitudinal axis in a single cross-sectional plane transverse to the longitudinal axis Z) from wing 484-1f of support portion 484-1 of earplug internal support feature portion 483 of the same external earplug internal support subsystem 480 of earplug subassembly 450. Fig.14 and Fig.15 The wing 482-1f can extend approximately counterclockwise about the axis Z from the end 482-1e, and the wing 484-1f can extend approximately clockwise about the axis Z from the end 484-1e). Thus, the individual wings of the individual support components of the external earplug internal support subsystem 480 operate to tangent to a particular axis of the earplug subassembly 450 (e.g., in a plane tangent to the axis Z of the corresponding longitudinally spaced parallel cross-sectional planes that intersect the longitudinal axis). Fig.15 a specific peripheral portion of the outer earplug body 474 in a specific longitudinal plane along the earplug subassembly 450 (e.g., in a plane of Fig.13 plane) to provide a variable effective surface hardness to the outer earplug body 474 of the earplug subassembly 450.

[0103] Figure 17-Figure 20

[0104] Figure 17-Figure 20Another exemplary earpiece 520 is shown, which may be similar to Figure 1-Figure 4 The earpiece 120 may include an outer earplug internal support subsystem having one or more support components that spiral around and extend from the outer surface of the inner earplug body along the longitudinal length of the inner earplug body to change the effective stiffness of the outer surface of the outer earplug body to affect the ability of the outer earplug body to conform to various ear canal geometries. Figure 17-Figure 20 The earpiece 520 may include a Figure 1-Figure 4 The components of the handset 120, wherein Figure 17-Figure 20 The components of the handset 520 labeled with reference numerals "5xx" may correspond to Figure 1-Figure 41xx" reference numerals of the earpiece 120, and the differences therebetween may be described below. As shown, the earpiece 520 may include an earplug subassembly 550, which may include an inner earplug portion 560 and an outer earplug portion 570 coupled to the inner earplug portion 560 at an interface 555. The inner earplug portion 560 may include an inner earplug body 564 that may extend between an inner earplug rear end 562 and an inner earplug front end 568, wherein an inner earplug inner surface 561 of the inner earplug body 564 and an inner earplug outer surface 569 of the inner earplug body 564 may both extend between the inner earplug rear end 562 and the inner earplug front end 568, and wherein an inner earplug space 565 may be defined by the inner earplug inner surface 561 and may extend between an inner earplug rear opening 563 that may be provided by the inner earplug rear end 562 and an inner earplug front opening 567 that may be provided by the inner earplug front end 568. The outer earplug portion 570 may include an outer earplug body 574 that can extend between the outer earplug rear end 572 and the outer earplug front end 578, wherein the outer earplug inner surface 571 of the outer earplug body 574 and the outer earplug outer surface 579 relative to the outer earplug body 574 can both extend between the outer earplug rear end 572 and the outer earplug front end 578, and wherein the outer earplug space 575 can be defined by the outer earplug inner surface 571 (for example, when at least a portion of the inner earplug body 564 is positioned between portions of the outer earplug inner surface 571, a portion of the space 575 can be defined between the outer earplug inner surface 571 and the inner earplug outer surface 569, and another portion of the space 575 can be occupied by the inner earplug body 564 and the inner earplug space 565), and can extend between the outer earplug rear end 572 and the outer earplug front end 578, while the outer earplug rear opening 573 can be provided by the outer earplug rear end 572, and the outer earplug front opening 577 can be provided by the outer earplug front end 578. Although not shown, the earpiece 520 may include any suitable inner earplug internal support system, such as the inner earplug internal support system 166 of the earplug subassembly 150. Alternatively, as shown, the earpiece 520 may include the inner earplug internal support system 266 of the earplug subassembly 250. Furthermore, the earpiece 520 may be coupled to any suitable housing subassembly 530 and any suitable sound-emitting subassembly 540 in any suitable manner to provide the earpiece 520 for any suitable headphone assembly.

[0105] The earplug subassembly 550 may include an outer earplug internal support subsystem 580 that operates to change the ability of the outer earplug outer surface 579 to conform to various ear canal geometries to improve the ability of the earplug subassembly 550 to form an effective acoustic seal and / or provide comfort to the user. The outer earplug internal support subsystem 580 operates to change the effective surface hardness of the earplug outer surface 579 along the earplug outer surface 579 (e.g., from the outer earplug front end 578 to the outer earplug rear end 572) and / or around the perimeter of the earplug outer surface 579 (e.g., around at least a portion of the sound S path (e.g., around the Z axis in the XY plane)). The outer earplug internal support subsystem 580 may include one or more earplug internal support features (e.g., earplug internal support feature 581), each of which may include one or more support members that may extend from the inner earplug outer surface 569 in a spiral manner around and along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the inner earplug outer surface 569 (e.g., around and along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the inner earplug space 565) at a first end toward a second end, and the second end may be coupled to or in contact with or close to a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 571 (e.g., as a spirally shaped support member).

[0106] like Figure 17-Figure 20As shown, the outer earplug internal support subsystem 580 may include an outer earplug internal support feature 581, which may extend from the inner earplug outer surface 469 to the outer earplug inner surface 571 (e.g., through a portion of the outer earplug space 575). For example, the outer earplug internal support feature 581 may include one or more spiral-shaped support components, such as a first spiral support component 582-1 having a support body 582-1b, which may extend from a first end 582-1ba that may be coupled to or integrated with the inner earplug outer surface 569 along and around a first portion of the inner earplug body 564 (e.g., in a spiral path or as a spiral, such as along the Z axis and around a portion of the inner earplug space 565 (e.g., around the Z axis)) and reach a second end 582-1be, which may intersect with an interface portion of the outer earplug inner surface 571 (e.g., coupled to or integrated with it). 565 (e.g., in a spiral path or as a spiral, such as along the Z axis and around a portion of the inner earplug space 565 (e.g., around the Z axis) ... The second end 582-2be can be connected to (e.g., coupled to or integrated with or at least adjacent to) the interface portion of the outer earplug inner surface 571, so that a spiral can be defined relative to the longitudinal axis of the earplug subassembly 550 (e.g., a spiral along and around a second portion of the outer earplug body 574 (e.g., in a spiral path or as a spiral, such as along the Z axis and around a portion of the inner earplug space 565 (e.g., around the Z axis))), and a third spiral support member 582-3 having a support body 582-3b that can be coupled to the inner earplug space 565 along and around a third portion of the inner earplug body 564. The first end 582-3ba of the plug outer surface 569 or an integrated therewith extends out (e.g., in a spiral path or as a spiral, such as along the Z axis and around a portion of the inner earplug space 565 (e.g., around the Z axis)) and reaches a second end 582-3be, which second end 582-3be can intersect with (e.g., be coupled to or integrated with or at least adjacent to) the interface portion of the outer earplug inner surface 571, so that a spiral can be defined relative to the longitudinal axis of the earplug subassembly 550 (e.g., a spiral along and around a third portion of the outer earplug body 574 (e.g., in a spiral path or as a spiral, such as along the Z axis and around a portion of the inner earplug space 565 (e.g., around the Z axis))),and a fourth spiral support member 582-4 having a support body 582-4b that can extend from a first end 582-4ba that can be coupled to or integrated with the inner earplug outer surface 569 along and around a fourth portion of the inner earplug body 564 (e.g., in a spiral path or as a spiral, such as along the Z axis and around a portion of the inner earplug space 565 (e.g., around the Z axis)) and reach a second end 582-4be that can intersect (e.g., be coupled to or integrated with or at least adjacent to) an interface portion of the outer earplug inner surface 571, thereby defining a spiral relative to the longitudinal axis of the earplug subassembly 550 (e.g., a spiral along and around a fourth portion of the outer earplug body 574 (e.g., in a spiral path or as a spiral, such as along the Z axis and around a portion of the inner earplug space 565 (e.g., around the Z axis)).

[0107] The geometry of the different supports of the internal support feature 581 of the earplug can be the same or can be varied in any suitable manner. The depth of the support can be consistent or can be varied in any suitable manner along the support. For example, as shown in the figure, the depth 582-1d of the support 582-1b of the support member 582-1 between the relative surfaces 582-1sa and 582-1sb of the support 582-1b (e.g., between the end 582-1ba and the end 582-1be) can be consistent along its entirety, while the depth 582-4d of the support 582-4b of the support member 582-4 between the relative surfaces 582-4sa and 582-4sb of the support 582-4b can be varied along at least a portion of the support 582-4b (e.g., between the end 582-4ba and the end 582-4be). The height of each support can be the same or can vary between supports. For example, the height of the first support body 582-1b can be configured to span the entirety or substantially the entirety of the earplug subassembly 350 (e.g., such that the front portion of the first end 582-1ba can be at the inner earplug front end 568 and / or the front portion of the second end 582-1be can be at the outer earplug front end 578, and such that the rear portion of the first end 582-1ba can be at the inner earplug rear end 562 and / or the rear portion of the second end 582-1be can be at the outer earplug rear end 572), while the height of the third support body 582-3b can be configured to span the entirety or substantially the entirety of the earplug subassembly 350 (e.g., such that the front portion of the first end 582-1ba can be at the inner earplug front end 568 and / or the front portion of the second end 582-1be can be at the outer earplug rear end 572). The earplug subassembly 350 may be formed so that only a certain portion of the entire height of the earplug subassembly 350 is spanned (e.g., such that a front portion of the first end 582-3ba can be positioned downwardly (e.g., in the -Z direction) from the inner earplug front end 568 and / or a front portion of the first end 582-3be can be positioned downwardly from the outer earplug front end 578, and / or a rear portion of the first end 582-3ba can be positioned upwardly (e.g., in the +Z direction) from the inner earplug rear end 562 and / or a rear portion of the second end 582-3be can be positioned upwardly (e.g., in the +Z direction) from the outer earplug rear end 572). Fig.19 and Fig. 20 shown)).

[0108] Different support components of the outer earplug internal support feature 581 can be configured with different geometric shapes to deform in different ways (e.g., in response to pressure exerted thereon by the outer earplug inner surface 571, in response to external forces from the user to deform the outer earplug outer surface 579). Fig.19 and Fig. 20 As shown, the geometry of the support body 582-3b of the third support member 582-3 in the default configuration may include one or more flexible features 582-3y that operate to provide additional flexibility to the support body 582-3b. As just one example, the flexible features 582-3y operate to make the length of the rear surface 582-3br of the support body 582-3b longer than the distance between the ends 582-3ba and 582-3be that define the rear surface 582-3br of the support body 582-3b in the default configuration, so that the support body 582-3b operates to flex more easily at such flexible features 582-3y (e.g., to increase or decrease the distance between the ends 582-3ba and 582-3be that define the rear surface 582-3br when the support body 582-3b can be deformed in any suitable manner). One or more local cutouts, holes, notches or reduced thickness portions may be provided along any suitable portion of the support body to vary the flexibility of the support body. Additionally or alternatively, the flexibility of the support body may be varied by using tapered varying wall portions along its length or width, portions of varying shapes of constant thickness (e.g., adding an S-shape within the plane of the body, etc.), varying the dimensions of the support body coupled between the anchor end and the earplug body, varying the degree and / or angle of rotation, helix or twist, varying the rate of rotation, helix or twist along its length (i.e., along the Z-axis), etc.

[0109] Any suitable relationship between the different helical support components of the outer ear plug internal support feature 581 may exist. For example, any suitable number of helical support components may be provided by the outer ear plug internal support feature 581 (e.g., Figure 18-Figure 20 As another example, the amount by which any one of the helical support members is twisted about the longitudinal axis may be any suitable amount (e.g., about 45°, about 90° (e.g., as described for example in connection with FIG. 1 ), or more or less than four helical support members may be twisted about the longitudinal axis). Figure 18-Figure 20 As another example, the direction of twisting of any one of the helical support members about the longitudinal axis may be any suitable direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise (e.g., as shown for example with respect to Figure 18-Figure 20 Each of the spiral support members is relative to Fig. 20 As another example, the rotational offset between any two of the helical support members, such as at their rear surfaces (and / or at their front surfaces), can be any suitable offset (e.g., about 15°, about 45°, about 90° (e.g., can be as shown in the live line of the helical support members, although different components can be twisted in different directions)). ... Fig.19 As shown in the figure, between the rear surface 582-1br of the middle support body 582-1b and the rear surface 582-3br of the support body 582-3b, between the rear surface 582-1br of the support body 582-1b and the rear surface 582-4br of the support body 582-4b, and between the rear surface 582-2br of the support body 582-2b and the rear surface 582-3br of the support body 582-3b, although any two components can be rotated and offset from each other in any suitable manner), about 135°, about 180°, etc.) As another embodiment, the support body of the internal support feature portion 581 of the outer ear plug can extend from the curve of the inner ear plug outer surface 569 in any suitable manner (for example, tangentially (for example, as shown in the figure), Fig.19 and Fig. 20 As shown in each support body, for example, where the rear surface 582-1br of the support body 582-1b can extend tangentially from the curved inner ear plug outer surface 569 and / or where the end 582-1be can extend tangentially from the curved inner ear plug outer surface 569) or as a secant (for example, it can be as shown Fig.10 The support body 384-1b extends from the curved outer surface 369 of the inner earplug)).

[0110] Figure 17-Figure 20The specific embodiment of the outer earplug internal support feature 581 shown in FIG. 5 can have four support components, the support components having four spiral support bodies, wherein all of the four spiral support bodies can be twisted 90° in the same direction about the longitudinal axis Z (e.g., the amount that the second end 582-1be can be twisted about the axis Z (e.g., because the second end 582-1be can extend forward of the first end 582-1ba (e.g., at or near the outer earplug outer surface 569 and at or near the front end 568 of the inner earplug body 564) The earplug subassembly 550 may be configured to extend from a front end 578 of the outer earplug body 574 at the inner surface 571 of the earplug) to a rear surface 582-1br (e.g., at or near the rear end 578 of the outer earplug body 574 at the inner surface 571 of the earplug), and wherein each of the four spiral supports may be oriented 90° rotationally offset from the other two of the four spiral supports, such that there may be no gaps between any two spiral supports along the earplug subassembly 550 (e.g., the combination of the spiral supports may span the entire outer circumference of the inner earplug outer surface 569 around the axis Z). Similarly, if there are six spiral supports, each of which is twisted 60° in the same direction around the longitudinal axis Z, and each of which is oriented 60° rotationally offset from the other two, there may be no gaps. Alternatively, the number, rotational direction, twist amount, and / or rotational offset of the spiral components may be such that there are no gaps.

[0111] Each spiral support member of the outer earplug internal support feature 581 can be coupled to the inner earplug body 564 and / or the outer earplug body 574 by any suitable means. In some embodiments, only a portion of the support body of the support member can be coupled to one of the inner earplug body 564 and the outer earplug body 574, and no portion of the support body can be coupled to the other of the inner earplug body 564 and the outer earplug body 574, but can simply face or approach it so that contact occurs during a particular deformation of the earplug subassembly 550. However, in other embodiments, such as Figure 17-Figure 20As shown, at least two portions of the first end of each spiral support member can be coupled to different portions of the inner earplug body 564, and at least two portions of the second end of each spiral support member can be coupled to different portions of the outer earplug body 574. For example, the front portion of the first end 582-1ba of the first support member 582-1 can be coupled to the front portion of the inner earplug body 564 at or near the inner earplug front end 568 at the inner earplug outer surface 569, the front portion of the second end 582-1be of the first support member 582-1 (for example, the front portion close to the first end 582-1ba) can be coupled to the front portion of the outer earplug body 574 at or near the outer earplug front end 578 at the outer earplug inner surface 571, and the rear portion of the first end 582-1ba of the first support member 582-1 can be coupled to the front portion of the outer earplug body 574 at or near the outer earplug front end 578. The rear portion of the inner earplug body 564 is coupled to the outer surface 569 of the inner earplug at or near the rear end 562 of the inner earplug, and the rear portion of the second end 582-1be of the first support member 582-1 (for example, near the rear surface 582-1br of the first support member 582-1) can be coupled to the rear portion of the outer earplug body 574 at the inner surface 571 of the outer earplug at or near the rear end 572 of the outer earplug, so that different ends of the support body 582-1b of the first support member 582-1 can be coupled to both the inner earplug body 564 and the outer earplug body 574. In addition, the front portion of the first end 582-2ba of the second support member 582-2 can be coupled to the front portion of the inner earplug body 564 at or near the inner earplug front end 568 on the inner earplug outer surface 569, the front portion of the second end 582-2be of the second support member 582-2 (for example, the front portion close to the first end 582-2ba) can be coupled to the front portion of the outer earplug body 574 at or near the outer earplug front end 578 on the outer earplug inner surface 571, and the rear portion of the first end 582-2ba of the second support member 582-2 can be The rear portion of the inner earplug body 564 is coupled to the outer surface 569 of the inner earplug at or near the rear end 562 of the inner earplug, and the rear portion of the second end 582-2be of the second support member 582-2 (for example, near the rear surface 582-2br of the first support member 582-2) can be coupled to the rear portion of the outer earplug body 574 at the inner surface 571 of the outer earplug at or near the rear end 572 of the outer earplug, so that different ends of the support body 582-2b of the second support member 582-2 can be coupled to both the inner earplug body 564 and the outer earplug body 574.In addition, the front portion of the first end 582-3ba of the third support member 582-3 can be coupled to the front portion of the inner earplug body 564 at or near the inner earplug front end 568 on the inner earplug outer surface 569, the front portion of the second end 582-3be of the third support member 582-3 (for example, the front portion close to the first end 582-3ba) can be coupled to the front portion of the outer earplug body 574 at or near the outer earplug front end 578 on the outer earplug inner surface 571, and the rear portion of the first end 582-3ba of the third support member 582-3 can be coupled to the front portion of the outer earplug body 574. The rear portion of the inner earplug body 564 is coupled to the outer surface 569 of the inner earplug at or near the rear end 562 of the inner earplug, and the rear portion of the second end 582-3be of the third support member 582-3 (for example, near the rear surface 582-3br of the third support member 582-3) can be coupled to the rear portion of the outer earplug body 574 at the inner surface 571 of the outer earplug at or near the rear end 572 of the outer earplug, so that different ends of the support body 582-3b of the third support member 582-3 can be coupled to both the inner earplug body 564 and the outer earplug body 574. In addition, the front portion of the first end 582-3ba of the fourth support member 582-4 can be coupled to the front portion of the inner earplug body 564 at or near the inner earplug front end 568 on the inner earplug outer surface 569, the front portion of the second end 582-4be of the fourth support member 582-4 (for example, the front portion close to the first end 582-4ba) can be coupled to the front portion of the outer earplug body 574 at or near the outer earplug front end 578 on the outer earplug inner surface 571, and the rear portion of the first end 582-4ba of the fourth support member 582-4 can be coupled to the front portion of the outer earplug body 574. The rear portion of the inner earplug body 564 is coupled to the outer surface 569 of the inner earplug at or near the rear end 562 of the inner earplug, and the rear portion of the second end 582-4be of the fourth support member 582-4 (for example, near the rear surface 582-4br of the fourth support member 582-4) can be coupled to the rear portion of the outer earplug body 574 at the inner surface 571 of the outer earplug at or near the rear end 572 of the outer earplug, so that different ends of the support body 582-4b of the fourth support member 582-4 can be coupled to both the inner earplug body 564 and the outer earplug body 574.

[0112] Such coupling of different ends of each support body of each support member of the outer earplug internal support feature 581 of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 580 to both the inner earplug body 564 and the outer earplug body 574 can enable a user to twist the earplug subassembly 550 (e.g., relative to a housing subassembly and / or a sound-emitting subassembly of an earphone assembly including the earplug subassembly 550) to reduce or expand the size (e.g., cross-sectional area) of the earplug subassembly 550, making the earplug subassembly 550 easier to insert and / or remove from the user's ear canal while also enabling the earplug subassembly 550 to form an acoustic seal with the user's ear canal. The inner earplug portion 560 can be twisted relative to the outer earplug portion 570 before, after, or simultaneously with the insertion of the earpiece 520 into the user's ear (or vice versa). For example, the earplug subassembly 550 can be twisted about the longitudinal axis Z in a first direction (e.g., the same direction as the helical support member of the spring member 266s can be twisted about the axis Z in the default configuration (e.g., Fig.19 and Fig. 20 Arrows TC and / or Figure 6 The twisting operation may be performed to shrink or tighten the perimeter or cross-sectional area of ​​any appropriate portion of the earplug subassembly 550 (e.g., to shrink the inner cross-sectional area or diameter SD of the spring support member 266s from its default configuration (e.g., to shrink to a minimum cross-sectional dimension that the spring support member 266s may be configured to maintain when only external forces provided by the user's ear canal are applied to the earpiece 520) and / or to shrink the inner cross-sectional area or diameter ID of the inner earplug space 565 from its default configuration and / or to shrink the inner cross-sectional area or diameter OD of the outer earplug space 575 from its default configuration), which may enable the user to more easily insert the earplug subassembly 550 into the user's ear canal and / or to more easily remove the earplug subassembly 550 from the user's ear canal. Additionally or alternatively, the earplug subassembly 550 may be twisted in a second direction about the longitudinal axis Z (e.g., in a direction that is different from the direction in which the helical support member of the spring member 266s may be twisted about the axis Z in the default configuration (e.g., Fig.19 and 20The earplug subassembly 550 can be operated in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow TE to expand or relax the circumference or cross-sectional area of ​​any appropriate portion of the earplug subassembly 550 (for example, to expand the inner cross-sectional area or diameter SD of the spring support member 266s from a contracted configuration to its default configuration and / or to expand the inner cross-sectional area or diameter ID of the inner earplug space 565 from a contracted configuration to its default configuration and / or to expand the inner cross-sectional area or diameter OD of the outer earplug space 575 from a contracted configuration to its default configuration), thereby enabling the user to expand the earplug subassembly 550 once the earplug subassembly 550 is inserted into the user's ear canal to form an acoustic seal therein. Thus, the spring support member 266s can be configured such that the inner cross-sectional area or diameter SD of the spring support member 266s can not only contract to a first contracted configuration (e.g., from its default configuration) when deformed by a first force applied on the earplug subassembly 550 through active user manipulation (e.g., when twisted by the user's hand) to facilitate insertion into or removal from the ear canal, but can also contract to a second contracted configuration (e.g., from its default configuration) when deformed by a force applied on the earplug subassembly 550 by the surface of the user's ear canal. Such a first contraction configuration can provide an inner cross-sectional area or diameter SD that is smaller than the inner cross-sectional area or diameter SD of the second contraction configuration, so that the inner cross-sectional area or diameter SD of the second contraction configuration can be no less than the inner cross-sectional area or diameter SD that can ensure at least the minimum inner cross-sectional area or diameter ID of the inner ear plug space 565 to achieve an effective (e.g., undistorted or unobstructed) sound path for the sound S through the inner ear plug space 565, while also allowing the inner cross-sectional area or diameter SD of the first contraction configuration to be small enough to enable the ear plug subassembly 550 to be comfortably inserted into or removed from the ear canal.

[0113] As shown, the earpiece 520 may include an inner earbud internal support system 266 of the earbud subassembly 250 that operates to couple the earbud subassembly 550 to the housing subassembly 530 and / or the sound emitting subassembly 540 . When a torsional reference component (e.g., any appropriate portion of the housing subassembly 530 and / or any appropriate portion of the sound-emitting subassembly 540) is coupled to an earplug subassembly 550 (e.g., the inner earplug body 564) using an inner earplug internal support system 266 that at least partially includes a spring support component 266s and a user subsequently twists the earplug subassembly 550 relative to such torsional reference component to contract or expand the size of the earplug subassembly 550, the size of the spring support component 266s can similarly contract or expand (e.g., to contract the inner cross-sectional area or diameter SD of the spring support component 266s from its default configuration or to expand the inner cross-sectional area or diameter SD of the spring support component 266s from its contracted configuration to its default configuration), which can further enable the user to more easily insert the earplug subassembly 550 into the user's ear canal and / or more easily remove the earplug subassembly 550 from the user's ear canal.

[0114] Although not shown, in some embodiments, if each of a pair of two earpieces of an earphone assembly is provided with an earbud subassembly similar to the earbud subassembly 550, the specific directions associated with the earbud subassembly for the first earpiece of such a particular pair (e.g., the direction in which the spiral support member is twisted relative to the inner earbud body, the direction in which the spring support member spirals through the inner earbud body, and / or the directions of arrows TC and TE for respectively compressing and expanding the earbud subassembly relative to the longitudinal axis) can be reversed for the earbud subassembly for the second earpiece of the particular pair, so that the user can more easily expand or contract both earbud subassemblies simultaneously during use (e.g., twisting the left and right earbud subassemblies forward from the user's viewpoint to expand the earbud subassemblies of both earpieces rather than expanding one and contracting the other). In addition or alternatively, it should be understood that any one or more of the support components of the outer earbud internal support feature 581 of the outer earbud internal support subsystem 580 may include one or more appropriate wings, such as with respect to the outer earbud internal support feature 581. Figure 7-Figure 16 For example, Fig. 20 As shown, the support member 582-4 may include a wing 582-4fa that extends from the body 582-4b (e.g., along at least a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 571 adjacent to the outer earplug rear end 572), and / or the support member 582-4 may include a wing 582-4fb that extends from the body 582-4b (e.g., along or around at least a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 571 in a spiral manner). In addition or alternatively, although in Figure 17-Figure 20 Not shown, but understood, the external earplug internal support subsystem 580 may include one or more additional external earplug internal support features in conjunction with the external earplug internal support feature 581 (e.g., a second external earplug internal support feature positioned longitudinally along and about the internal earplug body 564 above or below the external earplug internal support feature 581, such as an additional external earplug internal support feature having one or more additional helical support components, which may have any suitable geometry or orientation or torsional direction, which may be the same as or different from the helical support component of the external earplug internal support feature 581).

[0115] Figure 21-25

[0116] Figure 21-25 Another exemplary earpiece 620 is shown, which may be similar to Figure 1-Figure 4 The earpiece 120 may include an outer earplug internal support subsystem having one or more support components that can extend inwardly from the inner surface of the outer earplug body to change the effective stiffness of the outer surface of the outer earplug body to affect the ability of the outer earplug body to conform to various ear canal geometries. Figure 21-25 The handset 620 may include a Figure 1-Figure 4 The components of the handset 120, wherein Figure 21-25 The components of the handset 620 labeled with reference numerals "6xx" may correspond to Figure 1-Figure 4 60. The earpiece 620 may include an earplug subassembly 650, which may include an inner earplug portion 660 and an outer earplug portion 670 coupled to the inner earplug portion 660 at an interface 655. The inner earplug portion 660 may include an inner earplug body 664 that may extend between an inner earplug rear end 662 and an inner earplug front end 668, wherein an inner earplug inner surface 661 of the inner earplug body 664 and an inner earplug outer surface 669 of the inner earplug body 664 may both extend between the inner earplug rear end 662 and the inner earplug front end 668, and wherein an inner earplug space 665 may be defined by the inner earplug inner surface 661 and may extend between an inner earplug rear opening 663 that may be provided by the inner earplug rear end 662 and an inner earplug front opening 667 that may be provided by the inner earplug front end 668. The outer earplug portion 670 may include an outer earplug body 674 that can extend between the outer earplug rear end 672 and the outer earplug front end 678, wherein the outer earplug inner surface 671 of the outer earplug body 674 and the outer earplug outer surface 679 relative to the outer earplug body 674 can both extend between the outer earplug rear end 672 and the outer earplug front end 678, and wherein the outer earplug space 675 can be defined by the outer earplug inner surface 671 (for example, when at least a portion of the inner earplug body 664 is positioned between portions of the outer earplug inner surface 671, a portion of the space 675 can be defined between the outer earplug inner surface 671 and the inner earplug outer surface 669, and another portion of the space 675 can be occupied by the inner earplug body 664 and the inner earplug space 665), and can extend between the outer earplug rear end 672 and the outer earplug front end 678, while the outer earplug rear opening 673 can be provided by the outer earplug rear end 672, and the outer earplug front opening 677 can be provided by the outer earplug front end 678. The earpiece 620 may also include any suitable housing subassembly 630 and any suitable sound-emitting subassembly 640 for emitting sound S through the inner earplug space 665, one or both of which may be coupled to the earplug subassembly 650 in any suitable manner. Although not shown, the earpiece 620 may also include any suitable inner earplug internal support system, such as the inner earplug internal support system 166 of the earplug subassembly 150 or the inner earplug internal support system 266 of the earplug subassembly 250, which operates to couple the earplug subassembly 650 to the housing subassembly 630 and / or the sound-emitting subassembly 640.

[0117] The earplug subassembly 650 may include an outer earplug internal support subsystem 680 that operates to change the ability of the outer earplug outer surface 679 to conform to various ear canal geometries to improve the ability of the earplug subassembly 650 to form an effective acoustic seal and / or provide comfort to the user. The outer earplug internal support subsystem 680 operates to change the effective surface hardness of the earplug outer surface 679 along the length of the earplug outer surface 679 (e.g., from the outer earplug front end 678 to the outer earplug rear end 672) and / or around the perimeter of the earplug outer surface 679 (e.g., around at least a portion of the sound S path (e.g., around the Z axis in the XY plane)). The outer earplug internal support subsystem 680 may include one or more earplug internal support features (e.g., three earplug internal support features 681, 683, and 685), each of which may include one or more support members, and the one or more support members may be coupled to the inner earplug outer surface 669 and extend from it along and / or around the longitudinal length of the inner earplug body 664 at the anchoring end to a free end that may contact or be adjacent to a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 671 (e.g., as one or more outwardly extending lateral and / or longitudinal and / or spiral support members) or coupled to the outer earplug inner surface 671 and extend from it along and / or around the longitudinal length of the outer earplug body 674 at the anchoring end to a free end that may contact or be adjacent to a portion of the inner earplug outer surface 669 (e.g., as one or more inwardly extending lateral and / or longitudinal and / or spiral support members). Different earplug internal support features of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 680 can be spaced apart from each other longitudinally along the length of the inner earplug body 664 and / or along the length of the outer earplug inner surface 671, so that different earplug internal support features operate to interact with different portions of the outer earplug inner surface 671 along the length of the outer earplug portion 670 (e.g., from the outer earplug front end 678 to the outer earplug rear end 672).

[0118] like Figure 22-Figure 24As shown, the outer earplug internal support subsystem 680 may include an outer earplug internal support feature 681, which may extend from the outer earplug inner surface 671 to the inner earplug outer surface 669 (e.g., through a portion of the outer earplug space 675). For example, as shown, the outer earplug internal support feature 681 may include sixteen support members, although any other suitable number is possible, including support members 682-1, 682-2, 682-3, and 682-4, each of which may include a support body that may extend from an anchor end that may be coupled to or integrated with the outer earplug inner surface 671 inwardly toward the inner earplug outer surface 669 to a free end (e.g., support member 682-1 may include an anchor end 682-1a extending inwardly toward the inner earplug outer surface 669). The support member 682-2 may include a support body 682-1b extending from the end 682-1e, the support member 682-2 may include a support body 682-2b extending from the anchoring end 682-2a inwardly toward the free end 682-2e, the support member 682-3 may include a support body 682-3b extending from the anchoring end 682-3a inwardly toward the free end 682-3e, and the support member 682-4 may include a support body 682-4b extending from the anchoring end 682-4a inwardly toward the free end 682-4e). Any support body of the inner support feature 681 of the outer earplug may have any suitable geometry (e.g., thickness and / or depth), which may be consistent and / or vary throughout its length. In addition, any support body may form any suitable angle with the inner surface 671 of the outer earplug as it extends from the inner surface 671 of the outer earplug to the outer surface 669 of the inner earplug. For example, as shown in the figure, the support body 682-1b can extend linearly from the outer ear plug body 674 to the free end 682-1e (for example, at Fig.23 in a plane that may intersect the longitudinal axis Z). Figure 21-25 In an undeformed configuration of the earplug subassembly 650 (e.g., a functional configuration of the earplug subassembly 650 when no external force is applied thereto, such as by a user), the free end 682-1e of the support body 682-1b of the support member 682-1 can contact the inner earplug outer surface 669, or can be any suitable distance away therefrom, wherein such distance can be small enough so that the outer earplug body 674 can close when the outer earplug outer surface 679 receives an external force (e.g., applied by the user's ear canal), the external force can deform the outer earplug body 674 to move the anchoring end 682-1a of the support body 682-1b and thereby move the free end 682-1e to contact at least a portion of the inner earplug outer surface 669 of the inner earplug body 664, and may deform the support member 682-1 (e.g., to deform the support body 682-1b and thereby shorten the distance between the ends 682-1a and 682-1e of the support body 682-1b).

[0119] Different support components of the outer earplug internal support feature 681 can be configured with different geometric shapes to deform in different ways (e.g., in response to pressure exerted thereon by the outer earplug inner surface 671, in response to external force exerted by the user to deform the outer earplug outer surface 679). Fig. 22 As shown, the geometry of the support body 682-2b of the support member 682-2 in the default configuration can include one or more flexible features 682-2y that operate to provide additional flexibility to the support body 682-2b. As just one example, the flexible features 682-2y operate to make the length of the front surface and / or the length of the rear surface of the support body 682-2y longer than the length between the ends 682-2a and 682-2e of the support body 682-2b in the default configuration, so that the support body 682-2b operates to more easily flex out of the plane of such flexible features 682-2y.

[0120] Although the support body 682-1b of the support member 682-1a can extend substantially linearly between the ends 682-1a and 682-1e, a wing portion 682-1f can be provided at the free end 682-1e, which operates to extend outwardly from the support body 682-1b (e.g., at any suitable wing angle) to follow at least a portion of the contour of the inner earplug outer surface 669. For example, as shown, although the free end 682-1e of the body 682-1b can be the end of the support body 682-1b having a substantially uniform thickness of the free end surface, the wing portion 682-1f can be provided to extend from at least a portion of the free end 682-1e to provide a portion of the support member 682-1 that operates to provide a larger surface area for interacting with the inner earplug outer surface 669. In its default configuration, the wing portion 682-1f may extend downwardly any suitable distance from the free end 682-1e having the outer wing surface, which may be formed into a shape similar to or otherwise conform to a contoured shape similar to a portion of the inner earplug outer surface 669 that may face the outer wing surface, wherein such surfaces may contact or be positioned adjacent to each other when the earplug subassembly 650 may be in its default configuration. The wing portion 682-1f operates to provide a larger and more gradual interface for a portion of the inner earplug outer surface 669 with the support member 682-1 than the free end 682-1e when a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 671 coupled to the anchor end 682-1a of the support member 682-1 may deform. For example, wing 682-1f operates to act as a soft leaf spring for providing some stiffness to at least a portion of the inner earplug outer surface 669, which may contact the outer wing surface of wing 682-1f during any attempted deformation of a particular portion of the outer earplug inner surface 671 (e.g., at or adjacent to anchor end 682-1a). Any one or more of the support components of the outer earplug internal support feature 681 may include wings (e.g., wing 682-1f coupled to free end 682-1e, wing 682-2f coupled to free end 682-2e, wing 682-3f coupled to free end 682-3e, and wing 682-4f coupled to free end 682-4e). Alternatively, wings may not be provided on one or more free ends of one or more support components of the outer earplug inner surface 671.

[0121] like Fig. 22 , Fig.24 and Fig.25As shown, the outer earplug internal support subsystem 680 may include an outer earplug internal support feature 683, which has one or more support components (e.g., support components 684-1 and 684-2) that can extend from the outer earplug inner surface 671 to the inner earplug outer surface 669 (e.g., through a portion of the outer earplug space 675) and one or more support components (e.g., support components 684-3 and 684-4) that can extend from the inner earplug outer surface 669 to the outer earplug inner surface 671 (e.g., through a portion of the outer earplug space 675). For example, the inner support feature 683 of the outer earplug may include four support components, such as a first support component 684-1 having a front support body 684-1bf and a rear support body 684-1bb, wherein the front support body 684-1bf may extend from a front anchor end 684-1a to a free end 684-1e, the front anchor end 684-1af may be coupled to or integrated with the inner surface 671 of the outer earplug at the front portion of the outer earplug body 674, and the rear support body 684-1bb may be The second support member 684-2 has a left support body 684-2b1 and a right support body 684-2br, and the left support body 684-2bl can extend outward from the left anchor end 684-2al to the free end 684-2e, and the left anchor end 684-2al can be coupled to the inner surface 671 of the outer ear plug at the rear portion of the outer ear plug body 674 or integrated therewith. The right support body 684-2br can be coupled to the inner surface 671 of the outer earplug at the left portion of the outer earplug body 674 or integrated therewith, and the right support body 684-2br can extend outward from the right anchoring end 684-2ar to the free end 684-2e, and the right anchoring end 684-2ar can be coupled to the inner surface 671 of the outer earplug at the right portion of the outer earplug body 674 or integrated therewith, and the third support member 684-3 having a support body 684-3b can extend from the anchoring end 684-3a to the free end 684-2e. The fourth support member 684-4 includes a support body 684-4b, which can extend from the anchor end 684-4a to the free end 684-4e, and the anchor end 684-4a can be coupled to or integrated with the inner earplug outer surface 669 around a portion of the periphery of the inner earplug body 664. As shown in the figure, each of the free ends 684-1e, 684-2e, 684-3e and 684-4e can be at least partially provided in the same plane (e.g., Fig.25) such that each support component of the outer earplug internal support feature 683 operates to interface with different portions of the outer earplug inner surface 671 and different portions of the inner earplug outer surface 669 within a single cross-sectional perimeter thereof.

[0122] Different portions of the wing may extend from the free end of the support body in different directions to interface with different portions of the outer surface of the inner earplug. Fig. 22 As shown, a wing 684-1f may be provided at the free end 684-1e along a portion or the entirety of the free end 684-1e, an upward portion of the wing 684-1f may extend upward from the free end 684-1e (e.g., following the contour of a portion of the inner earplug outer surface 669 extending toward a front end 668 that may intersect with the upwardly extending portion of the wing 684-1f), and a downward portion of the wing 684-1f may extend downward from the free end 684-1e (e.g., following the contour of a portion of the inner earplug outer surface 669 extending toward a rear end 662 that may intersect with the downwardly extending portion of the wing 684-1f). Alternatively or in addition thereto, as Fig.25 As shown, a wing 684-1f can be provided at the free end 684-1e along a portion or the entirety of the free end 684-1e, and the leftward portion of the wing 684-1f can extend leftward from the free end 684-1e (for example, extending along the path of the sound S of the inner ear plug space 665 in a clockwise direction (for example, around the Z axis) following the outer surface 669 of the inner ear plug, and can intersect with the outline of a portion of the leftward extending portion of the wing 684-1f), and the rightward portion of the wing 684-1f can extend rightward from the free end 684-1e (for example, extending along the path of the sound S of the inner ear plug space 665 in a counterclockwise direction (for example, around the Z axis) following the outer surface 669 of the inner ear plug, and can intersect with the outline of a portion of the rightward extending portion of the wing 684-1f). Different portions of the wing (e.g., the upward portion and the downward portion) can be configured to have different stiffnesses to impart different flexibility properties to corresponding different portions of the outer surface of the inner earplug where those different wing portions may intersect (e.g., during deformation of the outer earplug body 674 when the earplug subassembly 650 is located in the user's ear canal).

[0123] In some embodiments, rather than providing wings for the support member, the free end of the support body of the support member may be shaped to follow the contour of a portion of the inner surface of the outer earplug. Fig. 22 and Fig.25 As shown, the shape of the outer surface of the free end 686-2e of the support member 684-2 can be set to match the contour of a portion of the inner earplug outer surface 669 that may intersect with the support member 684-2. Fig. 22As shown, the first geometry of the outer surface of the free end 684-2e operates to match the geometry of a portion of the inner ear plug outer surface 669 in the YZ plane (e.g., along the length of a portion of the inner ear plug outer surface 669) and / or, as shown Fig.25 As shown, the second geometry of the outer surface of the free end 684-2e operates to match the geometry of a portion of the inner ear plug outer surface 669 in the XY plane (e.g., along a cross-sectional perimeter of a portion of the inner ear plug outer surface 669).

[0124] Different support components of the outer earplug internal support feature 683 can be configured with different geometric shapes to deform in different ways (e.g., in response to pressure exerted thereon by the outer earplug inner surface 671, in response to external forces from the user to deform the outer earplug outer surface 679). Fig. 22 As shown, the geometry of the support member 684-1 may include two different support bodies (e.g., a front support body 684-1bf and a rear support body 684-1bb), which may extend along the length of the external ear plug body 674 from different anchor points (e.g., a first anchor point at an anchor end 684-1af that may be closer to the front end 678 of the external ear plug body 674, and a second anchor point at an anchor end 684-1ab that may be closer to the rear end 672 of the external ear plug body 674) to the same free end 684-1e, for defining a longitudinal space 684-1s therebetween, which may be deformed (e.g., in the longitudinal space) when a portion of the external ear plug body 674 applies an external force to the anchor end 684-1af and / or the anchor end 684-1ab. Fig. 22 As another embodiment, Fig.25 As shown, the geometry of the support member 684-2 may include two different support bodies (e.g., a left support body 684-2bl and a right support body 684-2br), which may extend from the same or different anchoring ends to the same free end 684-2e around the periphery of the outer earplug inner surface 671 of the outer earplug body 674, and are used to define a lateral or radial space 684-2s therebetween, which may be deformed when a portion of the outer earplug body 674 applies an external force to the anchoring end 684-2ar and / or the anchoring end 684-2al (e.g., in Fig.25 In some embodiments, instead of providing two supports by support member 684-1 or support member 684-2, only one of such supports may be provided, thereby changing the stiffness of the support member and thus changing the effective surface hardness of the portion of the outer earplug inner surface 671 that can be coupled to the support member 684-1 or the support member 684-2.

[0125] like Fig. 22 and Fig.24As shown, the outer earplug internal support subsystem 680 may include an outer earplug internal support feature 685, which has one or more support components (e.g., support components 686-1 and 686-2) that can extend from the outer earplug inner surface 671 to the outer shell surface 137 of the earpiece housing subassembly 130 and / or the sound-emitting subassembly 140 (e.g., through a portion of the outer earplug space 675) and one or more support components (e.g., support components 686-3 and 686-4) that can extend from the outer shell surface 137 of the earpiece housing subassembly 130 and / or the sound-emitting subassembly 140 to the outer earplug inner surface 671 (e.g., through a portion of the outer earplug space 675). For example, the outer earplug internal support feature 685 may include four support components, such as a first support component 686-1 that may include a support body 686-1b that extends inwardly from an anchor end 686-1a toward a free end 686-1e, the anchor end 686-1a can be coupled to or integrated with the outer earplug inner surface 671 of the outer earplug body 674, and a second support component 686-2 that may include a support body 686-2b that extends inwardly from the anchor end 686-2a toward the free end 686-2e, the anchor end 686-2a can be coupled to the outer earplug body The inner surface 671 of the outer earplug 674 or is integrated therewith, a third support component 686-3 having a support body 686-3b, which can extend from an anchoring end 686-3a to a free end 686-3e, and the anchoring end 686-3a can be coupled to a portion of the outer surface 137 of the shell or is integrated therewith, and a fourth support component 686-4 having a support body 686-4b, which can extend from the anchoring end 686-4a to a free end 686-4e, and the anchoring end 686-4a can be coupled to a portion of the outer surface 137 of the shell or is integrated therewith.

[0126] Different portions of the wing may extend from the free end of the support body in different directions to interface with different portions of the outer surface 137 of the housing. Fig. 22As shown, a wing portion 686-1f can be provided at the free end 686-1e along a portion or the entirety of the free end 686-1e of the support body 686-1b for interfacing with any appropriate portion of the outer surface 137 of the housing (e.g., the side surface and / or bottom surface of the housing subassembly 130 and / or the sound-emitting subassembly 140). This can not only provide additional rigidity to a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 671 of the outer earplug body 674 that may be close to the anchoring end 686-1a (e.g., when deformation of this portion of the outer earplug inner surface 671 may cause the wing portion 686-1f and / or the free end portion 686-1e to contact the outer surface 137 of the housing), but also provide some support for the housing subassembly 130 and / or the sound-emitting subassembly 140 (e.g., by providing a surface on which the outer surface 137 of the housing can at least partially rest). Similarly, as Fig. 22 As shown, a wing portion 686-2f can be provided at the free end 686-2e along a portion or the entirety of the free end 686-2e of the support body 686-2b for interfacing with any appropriate portion of the outer surface 137 of the housing, so as to not only provide additional rigidity to a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 671 of the outer earplug body 674 that may be close to the anchoring end 686-2a (for example, when deformation of this portion of the outer earplug inner surface 671 may cause the wing portion 686-2f and / or the free end portion 686-2e to contact the outer surface 137 of the housing), but also provide some support for the housing subassembly 130 and / or the sound-emitting subassembly 140 (for example, by providing a surface on which the outer surface 137 of the housing can at least partially rest). In addition or alternatively, different portions of the wing can extend from the free end of the support body in different directions to intersect with different portions of the outer earplug inner surface 671. For example, as Fig.24 As shown, a wing portion 686-3f may be provided along a portion or the entirety of the free end 686-3e of the support body 686-3b at the free end 686-3e for interfacing with any appropriate portion of the outer earplug inner surface 671, thereby providing additional rigidity to a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 671 of the outer earplug body 674 that may be close to the wing portion 686-3f and / or the free end 686-3e (for example, when deformation of the portion of the outer earplug inner surface 671 may cause the wing portion 686-3f and / or the free end portion 686-3e to contact the outer earplug inner surface 671). Similarly, as Fig.24As shown, a wing portion 686-4f can be provided at the free end 686-4e along a portion or the entirety of the free end 686-4e of the support body 686-4b for interfacing with any suitable portion of the outer earplug inner surface 671, so that additional stiffness can be provided to a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 671 of the outer earplug body 674 that may be proximate to the wing portion 686-4f and / or the free end 686-4e (e.g., when deformation of this portion of the outer earplug inner surface 671 may cause the wing portion 686-4f and / or the free end portion 686-4e to contact the outer earplug inner surface 671). Therefore, the outer shell surface 137 (e.g., any suitable portion of the shell subassembly 130 and / or the sound-emitting subassembly 140) operates to provide additional stiffness to the outer earplug body 674 via any suitable intermediate internal support member during deformation of the outer earplug body 674.

[0127] The earplug interior support features 681, 683, and 685 of the outer earplug interior support subsystem 680 can be spaced apart from one another in any suitable manner along the length (e.g., along the Z-axis) of the earplug 620. For example, each pair of successively positioned earplug interior support features can be equally spaced from one another along the length of the earplug 620. Alternatively, the spacing between different pairs of successively positioned earplug interior support features can vary along the length of the earplug 620.

[0128] Any portion or the entirety of one or more outer earplug internal support features of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 680 (e.g., the support body and / or wings of the earplug internal support features 681, 683, and 685) can be formed of any suitable material, which can be the same or different than the material of the inner earplug body 664, the outer earplug body 674, and / or the housing outer surface 137. In addition, one or more outer earplug internal support features of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 680 (e.g., one or more of the support bodies of the earplug internal support features 681, 683, and 685) can be coupled to a suitable one of the inner earplug portion 660, the outer earplug portion 670, and the housing outer surface 137 using any suitable method or mechanism (e.g., using one or more anchoring ends), including but not limited to any suitable adhesive (e.g., glue or tape), any suitable gasket, any suitable heat staking or other heat treatment, any suitable interference fit, any suitable mechanical connector, etc. Additionally or alternatively, one or more external earplug internal support features (e.g., internal earplug support features 681, 683, and 685) of the external earplug internal support subsystem 680 can be molded into or otherwise integrated with an appropriate one of the inner earplug portion 660, the outer earplug portion 670, and the outer shell surface 137 using any suitable process (e.g., in a single-shot or double-shot molding process).

[0129] Figure 26-Figure 28

[0130] Figure 26-Figure 28 Another exemplary earplug subassembly 750 is shown, which can be similar to the earplug subassembly 750. Figure 1-Figure 4 The earplug subassembly 150 may include an outer earplug internal support subsystem having at least one support component, which at least one support component may define a fluid housing coupled to or formed integrally with the inner surface of the outer earplug body, for changing the effective stiffness of the outer surface of the outer earplug body to affect the ability of the outer earplug body to conform to various ear canal geometries. Figure 26-Figure 28 The earplug subassembly 750 may include a Figure 1-4 The earplug subassembly 150 is a component of Figure 26-Figure 28 The elements of the earplug subassembly 750 labeled with reference numerals "7xx" may correspond to Figure 1-Figure 4760 . The earplug subassembly 750 may include an inner earplug portion 760 and an outer earplug portion 770 coupled to the inner earplug portion 760 at an interface 755. The inner earplug portion 760 may include an inner earplug body 764 that may extend between an inner earplug rear end 762 and an inner earplug front end 768, wherein an inner earplug inner surface 761 of the inner earplug body 764 and an inner earplug outer surface 769 of the inner earplug body 764 may both extend between the inner earplug rear end 762 and the inner earplug front end 768, and wherein an inner earplug space 765 may be defined by the inner earplug inner surface 761 and may extend between an inner earplug rear opening 763 that may be provided by the inner earplug rear end 762 and an inner earplug front opening 767 that may be provided by the inner earplug front end 768. The outer earplug portion 770 may include an outer earplug body 774 that can extend between the outer earplug rear end 772 and the outer earplug front end 778, wherein the outer earplug inner surface 771 of the outer earplug body 774 and the outer earplug outer surface 779 relative to the outer earplug body 774 can both extend between the outer earplug rear end 772 and the outer earplug front end 778, and wherein the outer earplug space 775 can be defined by the outer earplug inner surface 771 (for example, when at least a portion of the inner earplug body 764 is positioned between portions of the outer earplug inner surface 771, a portion of the space 775 can be defined between the outer earplug inner surface 771 and the inner earplug outer surface 769, and another portion of the space 775 can be occupied by the inner earplug body 764 and the inner earplug space 765), and can extend between the outer earplug rear end 772 and the outer earplug front end 778, while the outer earplug rear opening 773 can be provided by the outer earplug rear end 772, and the outer earplug front opening 777 can be provided by the outer earplug front end 778. Although not shown, the earbud subassembly 750 may include any suitable inner earbud internal support system, such as the inner earbud internal support system 166 of the earbud subassembly 150 or the inner earbud internal support system 266 of the earbud subassembly 250. Additionally or alternatively, although not shown, the earbud subassembly 750 may be coupled to any suitable housing subassembly and any suitable sound emitting subassembly in any suitable manner to provide any suitable earpiece for the earphone assembly.

[0131] The earplug subassembly 750 may include an outer earplug internal support subsystem 780 that operates to change the ability of the outer earplug outer surface 779 to conform to various ear canal geometries to improve the ability of the earplug subassembly 750 to form an effective acoustic seal and / or provide comfort to the user. The outer earplug internal support subsystem 780 operates to change the effective surface hardness of the earplug outer surface 779 along the length of the earplug outer surface 779 (e.g., from the outer earplug front end 778 to the outer earplug rear end 772) and / or around the perimeter of the earplug outer surface 779 (e.g., around at least a portion of the sound S path (e.g., around the Z axis in the XY plane)). The outer earplug internal support subsystem 780 may include one or more earplug internal support features, such as an outer earplug internal support feature 781. As shown in FIG. Figure 26-Figure 28As shown, the outer earplug internal support feature 781 may include four fluid housing support components 782-1, 782-2, 782-3 and 782-4, but any other suitable number of fluid housing support components may be provided (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or far more than 4). The first fluid housing support component 782-1 may include a support body 782-1b, which may be coupled to or integrated with the outer earplug inner surface 771 along any appropriate path 771-1p on the outer earplug inner surface 771 in any appropriate manner, so that at least a portion of the outer surface 782-1x of the support body 782-1b within the path 771-1p and a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 771 (i.e., the outer earplug inner surface portion 771-1n) may together define a fluid housing space 782-1s between the outer earplug inner surface portion 771-1n of the outer earplug inner surface 771 within the path 771-1p and the outer surface 782-1x of the support body 782-1b, and so that at least a portion of the inner surface 782-1i of the support body 782-1b (e.g., opposite to the outer surface 782-1x) may contact or be adjacent to a portion of the inner earplug outer surface 769. Similarly, the second fluid housing support component 782-2 may include a support body 782-2b, which may be coupled to or integrated with the outer earplug inner surface 771 along any appropriate path 771-2p on the outer earplug inner surface 771 in any appropriate manner, such that at least a portion of the outer surface 782-2x of the support body 782-2b within the path 771-1p and a portion of the outer earplug inner surface 771 (i.e., the outer earplug inner surface portion 771-2n) may together define a fluid housing space 782-2s between the outer earplug inner surface portion 771-2n of the outer earplug inner surface 771 within the path 771-2p and the outer surface 782-2x of the support body 782-2b, and such that at least a portion of the inner surface 782-2i of the support body 782-2b (e.g., opposite to the outer surface 782-2x) may contact or be adjacent to a portion of the inner earplug outer surface 769.Similarly, the third fluid housing support component 782-3 may include a support body 782-3b, which may be coupled to or integrated with the outer ear plug inner surface 771 along any appropriate path 771-3p on the outer ear plug inner surface 771 in any appropriate manner, so that at least a portion of the outer surface 782-3x of the support body 782-3b within the path 771-3p and a portion of the outer ear plug inner surface 771 (i.e., the outer ear plug inner surface portion 771-3n) may together define a fluid housing space 782-3s between the outer ear plug inner surface portion 771-3n of the outer ear plug inner surface 771 within the path 771-3p and the outer surface 782-3x of the support body 782-3b, and so that at least a portion of the inner surface 782-3i of the support body 782-3b (e.g., opposite to the outer surface 782-3x) may contact or be adjacent to a portion of the inner ear plug outer surface 769. Similarly, the fourth fluid housing support component 782-4 may include a support body 782-4b, which may be coupled to or integrated with the outer ear plug inner surface 771 along any appropriate path 771-4p on the outer ear plug inner surface 771 in any appropriate manner, so that at least a portion of the outer surface 782-4x of the support body 782-4b within the path 771-4p and a portion of the outer ear plug inner surface 771 (i.e., the outer ear plug inner surface portion 771-4n) may together define a fluid housing space 782-4s between the outer ear plug inner surface portion 771-4n of the outer ear plug inner surface 771 within the path 771-4p and the outer surface 782-4x of the support body 782-4b, and so that at least a portion of the inner surface 782-4i of the support body 782-4b (e.g., opposite to the outer surface 782-4x) may contact or be adjacent to a portion of the inner ear plug outer surface 769.

[0132] As shown, each of the paths 771-1p to 771-4p can be unique and non-overlapping. For example, the fluid housing spaces 782-1s to 782-4s can be rotated and offset from each other about the longitudinal axis by any suitable amount (e.g., 90°, which can be as shown in FIG. Fig.28 Alternatively, two or more of the paths 771-1p to 771-4p may overlap, such that a portion of the outer earplug inner surface portion of a first path may be the same as a portion of the outer earplug inner surface portion of a second path.

[0133] The geometry of the support body of the fluid housing support component can be consistent or variable. For example, as shown in the figure, the thickness 782-1t of the support body 782-1b of the support component 782-1 between the outer surface 782-1x and the inner surface 782-1i of the support body 782-1b can be consistent along its entirety (for example, between any two portions of any two portions where the support body 782-1b is coupled to the path 771-1p). Alternatively, as shown in the figure, the thickness 782-2t of the support body 782-2b of the support component 782-2 between the outer surface 782-2x and the inner surface 782-2i of the support body 782-2b can vary along different portions thereof. The size and shape of each fluid housing space defined by each fluid housing support component can be the same as each other, or the size and / or shape of one fluid housing space defined by one fluid housing support component can be different from another fluid housing space defined by another fluid housing support component. The fluid housing spaces defined by the fluid housing support components can be of any appropriate size and / or any appropriate shape. Figure 26-Figure 28 In an undeformed configuration of the earplug subassembly 750 (e.g., a functional configuration of the earplug subassembly 750 when no external force, such as a user, is applied thereto), at least a portion of the inner surface of the support body may contact the inner earplug outer surface 769 or may be any suitable distance from the inner earplug outer surface 769. For example, as shown, at least a portion of the inner surface 782-4i of the support body 782-4b may contact the inner earplug outer surface 769. In some embodiments, such contact may be maintained by coupling the inner surface 782-4i of the support body 782-4b to the inner earplug outer surface 769 (e.g., using an adhesive, a mechanical fastener, a manufacturing technique (e.g., molding), etc.). Alternatively, as shown in the figure, a portion of the inner surface 782-1i of the support body 782-1b can be at any appropriate distance 782-1ed from the inner earplug outer surface 769, wherein such distance 782-1ed can be small enough to be closed when the outer earplug body 774 can receive an external force on the outer earplug outer surface 779 (for example, applied by the user's ear canal), thereby causing the outer earplug inner surface portion 771-1n of the inner and outer earplug inner surfaces 771 of the path 771-1p to be deformed, so that the shape of the fluid housing space 782-1s can be deformed to push a portion of the inner surface 782-1i of the support body 782-1b toward a portion of the inner earplug outer surface 769.

[0134] Any suitable fluid, such as any suitable gas (e.g., air), any suitable liquid (e.g., water), any combination thereof (e.g., gel), etc., may be maintained within the fluid housing space of the fluid housing support member of the earplug subassembly 750 in the default configuration, which operates to deform when the shape of the fluid housing space deforms due to deformation of any suitable portion of the surface defining the fluid housing space. In some embodiments, the volume of such fluid may remain constant throughout the use of the earplug subassembly 750 (e.g., the volume of such fluid in the default configuration of the fluid housing space may be the same as when the fluid housing space is deformed (e.g., when the earplug subassembly 750 is positioned in the ear canal of the user)). In other embodiments, the volume of such fluid may change throughout the use of the earplug subassembly 750 (e.g., fluid may be enabled to enter and leave the fluid housing space as the fluid housing space changes shape). For example, as shown, the support body 782-1b of the fluid housing support member 782-1 can include one or more valves 782-1v that operate to selectively allow fluid to enter the fluid housing space 782-1s and / or leave the fluid housing space 782-1s therethrough. In some embodiments, the valve 782-1v operates to enable a user to adjust the volume of fluid within the fluid housing space 782-1s of the fluid housing support member 782-1. For example, valve 782-1v operates to enable a user to remove some or substantially all of the air from fluid housing space 782-1s before and / or during insertion of earplug subassembly 750 into the user's ear canal, and then valve 782-1v operates to enable a user to add air to fluid housing space 782-1s while earplug subassembly 750 is positioned in the user's ear canal, thereby enabling easier insertion of earplug subassembly 750 into the ear canal when fluid housing space 782-1s contains less fluid, and then more strongly retaining the earplug subassembly in the ear canal when fluid housing space 782-1s contains more fluid. In some embodiments, valve 782-1v can be a passive valve, such as a one-way reed valve, in which the internal pressure can be directed and / or controlled by any appropriate external mechanism, such as a mechanism in the housing subassembly and / or in the sound-generating subassembly and / or any appropriate external adjustment tool. In addition or alternatively, valve 782-1v operates to enable a user to manually inflate and / or deflate fluid housing space 782-1s by any appropriate amount.

[0135] Additionally or alternatively, it should be understood that any one or more of the support components of the external earplug internal support feature 781 of the external earplug internal support subsystem 780 may include one or more suitable wings, such as with respect to Figure 7-Figure 25any wing portion of the support member 782-1 (e.g., extending in any appropriate direction from any appropriate portion of the inner surface 782-1i of the support body 782-1b and / or the inner surface 782-3i of the support body 782-3b and / or the inner surface 782-4i of the support body 782-4b (e.g., as shown in the wing 782-1fb of the support member 782-1) having any appropriate shape (e.g., for intersecting and / or matching with the contour of the outer surface 769 of the inner earplug (e.g., as shown in the wing 782-1fa of the support member 782-1)). In addition or alternatively, although in Figure 26-Figure 28 Not shown, but understood, the external earplug internal support subsystem 780 can include one or more additional external earplug internal support features in conjunction with the external earplug internal support feature 781 (e.g., a second external earplug internal support feature longitudinally positioned along and around the external earplug body 774 and / or along and around the inner earplug body 764 above or below the external earplug internal support feature 781, such as additional external earplug internal support features defining one or more additional fluid housing spaces, which can have any suitable geometry or orientation that can be the same as or different from the fluid housing spaces of the external earplug internal support feature 781).

[0136] Any portion or the entirety of the earplug internal support feature 781 of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 780 (e.g., the support body and / or the wing of the earplug internal support feature 781) may be formed of any suitable material, which may be the same or different from the material of the inner earplug body 764 and / or the outer earplug body 774. In addition, one or more supports of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 780 may be coupled to the inner earplug portion 760 and / or the outer earplug portion 770 using any suitable method or mechanism, including but not limited to any suitable adhesive (e.g., glue or tape), any suitable gasket, any suitable hot melt or other heat treatment, any suitable interference fit, any suitable mechanical connector, etc. In addition or alternatively, one or more supports of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 780 may be molded to or otherwise integrated with the inner earplug portion 760 and / or the outer earplug portion 770 using any suitable process (e.g., in a single-shot or double-shot molding process).

[0137] Figure 29-Figure 31

[0138] Figure 29-Figure 31 Another exemplary earplug subassembly 850 is shown, which can be similar to the earplug subassembly 850. Figure 1-Figure 4The earplug subassembly 150 may include an outer earplug internal support subsystem having at least one support component, which at least one support component may define a fluid housing coupled to or integrated with the outer surface of the inner earplug body, and is used to change the effective stiffness of the outer surface of the outer earplug body to affect the ability of the outer earplug body to conform to various ear canal geometries. Figure 29-Figure 31 The earplug subassembly 850 may include a Figure 1-Figure 4 The earplug subassembly 150 is a component of Figure 29-Figure 31 The elements of the earplug subassembly 850 labeled with reference numerals "7xx" may correspond to Figure 1-Figure 4 868 , and wherein the differences therebetween may be described below. As shown, the earplug subassembly 850 may include an inner earplug portion 860 and an outer earplug portion 870 coupled to the inner earplug portion 860 at an interface 855. The inner earplug portion 860 may include an inner earplug body 864 that may extend between an inner earplug rear end 862 and an inner earplug front end 868, wherein an inner earplug inner surface 861 of the inner earplug body 864 and an inner earplug outer surface 869 of the inner earplug body 864 may both extend between the inner earplug rear end 862 and the inner earplug front end 868, and wherein an inner earplug space 865 may be defined by the inner earplug inner surface 861 and may extend between an inner earplug rear opening 863 that may be provided by the inner earplug rear end 862 and an inner earplug front opening 867 that may be provided by the inner earplug front end 868. The outer earplug portion 870 may include an outer earplug body 874 that can extend between the outer earplug rear end 872 and the outer earplug front end 878, wherein the outer earplug inner surface 871 of the outer earplug body 874 and the outer earplug outer surface 879 relative to the outer earplug body 874 can both extend between the outer earplug rear end 872 and the outer earplug front end 878, and wherein the outer earplug space 875 can be defined by the outer earplug inner surface 871 (for example, when at least a portion of the inner earplug body 864 is positioned between portions of the outer earplug inner surface 871, a portion of the space 875 can be defined between the outer earplug inner surface 871 and the inner earplug outer surface 869, and another portion of the space 875 can be occupied by the inner earplug body 864 and the inner earplug space 865), and can extend between the outer earplug rear end 872 and the outer earplug front end 878, while the outer earplug rear opening 873 can be provided by the outer earplug rear end 872, and the outer earplug front opening 877 can be provided by the outer earplug front end 878. Although not shown, the earbud subassembly 850 may include any suitable inner earbud internal support system, such as the inner earbud internal support system 166 of the earbud subassembly 150 or the inner earbud internal support system 266 of the earbud subassembly 250. Additionally or alternatively, although not shown, the earbud subassembly 850 may be coupled to any suitable housing subassembly and any suitable sound emitting subassembly in any suitable manner to provide any suitable earpiece for the earphone assembly.

[0139] The earplug subassembly 850 may include an outer earplug internal support subsystem 880 that operates to change the ability of the outer earplug outer surface 879 to conform to various ear canal geometries to improve the ability of the earplug subassembly 850 to form an effective acoustic seal and / or provide comfort to the user. The outer earplug internal support subsystem 880 operates to change the effective surface hardness of the earplug outer surface 879 along the length of the earplug outer surface 879 (e.g., from the outer earplug front end 878 to the outer earplug rear end 872) and / or around the perimeter of the earplug outer surface 879 (e.g., around at least a portion of the sound S path (e.g., around the Z axis in the XY plane)). The outer earplug internal support subsystem 880 may include one or more earplug internal support features, such as an outer earplug internal support feature 881. As shown in FIG. Figure 29-Figure 31 As shown, the outer earplug internal support feature 881 may include eight fluid housing support components, including fluid housing support components 882-1 and 882-2, but any other suitable number of fluid housing support components may be provided (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 7, or far more than 8). The first fluid housing support component 882-1 may include a support body 882-1b, which may be coupled to or integrated with the inner ear plug outer surface 869 along any appropriate path 869-1p on the inner ear plug outer surface 869 in any appropriate manner, such that at least a portion of the inner surface 882-1i of the support body 882-1b within the path 869-1p and a portion of the inner ear plug outer surface 869 (i.e., the inner ear plug outer surface portion 869-1x) may together define a fluid housing space 882-1s between the inner ear plug outer surface portion 869-1x of the inner ear plug outer surface 869 within the path 869-1p and the inner surface 882-1i of the support body 882-1b, and such that at least a portion of the outer surface 882-1x of the support body 882-1b (e.g., opposite to the inner surface 882-1i) may contact or be adjacent to a portion of the outer ear plug inner surface 871. Similarly, the second fluid housing support component 882-2 may include a support body 882-2b, which may be coupled to or integrated with the inner ear plug outer surface 869 along any appropriate path 869-2p on the inner ear plug outer surface 869 in any appropriate manner, such that at least a portion of the inner surface 882-2i of the support body 882-1b within the path 869-2p and a portion of the inner ear plug outer surface 869 (i.e., the inner ear plug outer surface portion 869-2x) may together define a fluid housing space 882-2s between the inner ear plug outer surface portion 869-2x of the inner ear plug outer surface 869 within the path 869-2p and the inner surface 882-2i of the support body 882-2b, and such that at least a portion of the outer surface 882-2x of the support body 882-2b (e.g., opposite the inner surface 882-2i) may contact or be adjacent to a portion of the outer ear plug inner surface 871.

[0140] As shown, each of the paths along which the support body of the outer earplug internal support feature 881 is coupled to the inner earplug outer surface 869 can be unique and non-overlapping. For example, each of the eight fluid housing spaces, including fluid housing spaces 882-1s and 882-2s, can be rotated and offset from each other about the longitudinal axis by any suitable amount (e.g., 45°, which can be as shown in FIG. Fig.31 Alternatively, two or more of such paths on the inner earplug outer surface 869 may overlap, such that a portion of the inner earplug outer surface portion of a first path may be the same as a portion of the inner earplug outer surface portion of a second path.

[0141] The geometry of the support body of the fluid housing support component can be consistent or variable. For example, as shown in the figure, the thickness 882-1t of the support body 882-1b of the support component 882-1 between the outer surface 882-1x and the inner surface 882-1i of the support body 882-1b can be consistent along its entirety (for example, between any two parts of any two parts of the support body 882-1b coupled to the path 869-1p). Alternatively, as shown in the figure, the thickness 882-2t of the support body 882-2b of the support component 882-2 between the outer surface 882-2x and the inner surface 882-2i of the support body 882-2b can vary along different parts thereof. The size and shape of each fluid housing space defined by each fluid housing support component can be the same as each other, or the size and / or shape of a fluid housing space defined by one fluid housing support component can be different from another fluid housing space defined by another fluid housing support component. The fluid housing space defined by the fluid housing support components of the outer earplug internal support feature 881 can be any suitable size and / or any suitable shape. Figure 29-Figure 31In an undeformed configuration of the earplug subassembly 850 (e.g., a functional configuration of the earplug subassembly 850 when no external force, such as a user, is applied thereto), at least a portion of the inner surface of the support body may contact the outer earplug inner surface 871 or may be any suitable distance from the outer earplug inner surface 871. For example, as shown, at least a portion of the outer surface 882-2x of the support body 882-2b may contact the outer earplug inner surface 871. In some embodiments, such contact may be maintained by coupling the outer surface 882-2x of the support body 882-2b to the outer earplug inner surface 871 (e.g., using an adhesive, a mechanical fastener, a manufacturing technique (e.g., molding), etc.). Alternatively, as shown in the figure, a portion of the outer surface 882-1x of the support body 882-1b can be any appropriate distance 882-1ed from the inner surface 871 of the outer earplug, wherein such distance 882-1ed can be small enough so that it can be closed when the outer earplug body 874 can receive an external force on the outer surface 879 of the outer earplug (for example, applied by the user's ear canal), thereby causing the inner surface 871 of the outer earplug to deform so as to push against a portion of the outer surface 882-1x of the support body 882-1b (for example, so that the shape of the fluid housing space 882-1s can be deformed).

[0142] As with the fluid housing space of the earplug subassembly 750, any suitable fluid, such as any suitable gas (e.g., air), any suitable liquid (e.g., water), any combination thereof, etc., may be retained within the fluid housing space of the fluid housing support member of the earplug subassembly 850 in the default configuration, which operates to deform when the shape of the fluid housing space deforms due to deformation of any suitable portion of the surface defining the fluid housing space. The volume of such fluid may remain constant or may vary throughout the period of use of the earplug subassembly 850. For example, as shown, the support body 882-1b of the fluid housing support member 882-1 may include one or more valves 882-1v that operate to selectively enable fluid to enter the fluid housing space 882-1s and / or exit the fluid housing space 882-1s therethrough.

[0143] Additionally or alternatively, it should be understood that any one or more of the support components of the external earplug internal support feature 881 of the external earplug internal support subsystem 880 may include one or more suitable wings, such as with respect to Figure 7-Figure 28any wing portion of the support body 882-1b having any appropriate shape and / or extending in any appropriate direction from any appropriate portion of the outer surface 882-1x of the support body 882-1b and / or the outer surface 882-1x of any adjacent support body (e.g., the wing 882-1fb of the support member 882-1) (e.g., for intersecting and / or matching with the contour of the inner surface 871 of the outer earplug (e.g., the wing 882-1fa of the support member 882-1)). In addition or alternatively, although in Figure 29-Figure 31 Not shown, but understood, the external earplug internal support subsystem 880 can include one or more additional external earplug internal support features in conjunction with the external earplug internal support feature 881 (e.g., a second external earplug internal support feature longitudinally positioned along and around the external earplug body 874 and / or along and around the inner earplug body 864 above or below the external earplug internal support feature 881, such as additional external earplug internal support features defining one or more additional fluid housing spaces, which can have any suitable geometry or orientation, which can be the same as or different from the fluid housing spaces of the external earplug internal support feature 881).

[0144] Any portion or the entirety of the earplug internal support feature 881 of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 880 (e.g., the support body and / or the wing portion of the earplug internal support feature 881) may be formed of any suitable material, which may be the same or different than the material of the inner earplug body 864 and / or the outer earplug body 874. In addition, one or more support bodies of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 880 may be coupled to the inner earplug portion 860 and / or the outer earplug portion 870 using any suitable method or mechanism, including but not limited to any suitable adhesive (e.g., glue or tape), any suitable gasket, any suitable hot melt or other heat treatment, any suitable interference fit, any suitable mechanical connector, etc. Additionally or alternatively, one or more support bodies of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 880 may be molded to or otherwise integrated with the inner earplug portion 860 and / or the outer earplug portion 870 using any suitable process (e.g., in a single-shot or double-shot molding process).

[0145] Figure 32-Figure 34

[0146] Figure 32-Figure 34 Another exemplary earpiece 920 is shown, which may be similar to Figure 1-Figure 4The earpiece 120 may include an outer earplug internal support subsystem having at least one support component, which at least one support component may define a fluid shell coupled to the inner surface of the outer earplug body or formed integrally therewith, for changing the effective stiffness of the outer surface of the outer earplug body to affect the ability of the outer earplug body to conform to various ear canal geometries, and for defining at least a portion of the sound path and / or for holding at least a portion of the sound-generating subassembly. Figure 32-Figure 34 The handset 920 may include a Figure 1-Figure 4 The components of the handset 120, wherein Figure 32-Figure 34 The components of the handset 920 labeled with reference numerals "9xx" may correspond to Figure 1-Figure 4 The earpiece 920 of the embodiment of the present invention is marked with the elements of the reference numeral "1xx", and the differences therebetween may be described below. As shown, the earpiece 920 may include an earplug subassembly 950, which may include an outer earplug portion 970. The outer earplug portion 970 may include an outer earplug body 974 that can extend between the outer earplug rear end 972 and the outer earplug front end 978, wherein the outer earplug inner surface 971 of the outer earplug body 974 and the relative outer earplug outer surface 979 of the outer earplug body 974 can both extend between the outer earplug rear end 972 and the outer earplug front end 978, and wherein the outer earplug space 975 can be defined by the outer earplug inner surface 971 (for example, the space 975 can be defined between different parts of the outer earplug inner surface 971) and can extend between the outer earplug rear end 972 and the outer earplug front end 978, while the outer earplug rear opening 973 can be provided by the outer earplug rear end 972, and the outer earplug front opening 977 can be provided by the outer earplug front end 978. The earpiece 920 may also include any suitable housing subassembly 930 and any suitable sound-emitting subassembly 940 for emitting sound S through a portion of the outer earplug space 975, one or both of which may be coupled to the earplug subassembly 950 in any suitable manner. Although not shown, the earpiece 920 may also include any suitable inner earplug internal support system, such as the inner earplug internal support system 166 of the earplug subassembly 150. Alternatively, as shown, the earpiece 920 may include the inner earplug internal support system 266 of the earplug subassembly 250, which operates to couple the earplug subassembly 950 to the housing subassembly 930 and / or the sound-emitting subassembly 940. However, the earplug subassembly 950 may not include an inner earplug portion (e.g., like the inner earplug portion 160 of the earplug subassembly 150). In contrast, a portion of the earplug internal support subsystem (e.g., an inner surface of one or more fluid housing supports coupled to or integrated with the outer earplug portion 970) operates to define an inner earplug space 975i of the outer earplug space 975 (e.g., for at least partially retaining at least a portion of the housing subassembly 930 and / or at least a portion of the sound emitting subassembly 940, and / or for at least partially limiting the path of the sound S toward the outer earplug front opening 977, etc.).

[0147] The earplug subassembly 950 may include an outer earplug internal support subsystem 980 that operates to change the ability of the outer earplug outer surface 979 to conform to various ear canal geometries to improve the ability of the earplug subassembly 950 to form an effective acoustic seal and / or provide comfort to the user. The outer earplug internal support subsystem 980 operates to change the effective surface hardness of the earplug outer surface 979 along the length of the earplug outer surface 979 (e.g., from the outer earplug front end 978 to the outer earplug rear end 972) and / or around the perimeter of the earplug outer surface 979 (e.g., around at least a portion of the sound S path (e.g., around the Z axis in the XY plane)). The outer earplug internal support subsystem 980 may include one or more earplug internal support features, such as an outer earplug internal support feature 981. As shown in FIG. Figure 32-Figure 34As shown, the internal support feature 981 of the outer earplug can include four fluid housing support components, including housing support components 982-1, 982-2, 982-3 and 982-4, but any other suitable number of fluid housing support components (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or far more than 4) may be provided. The first fluid housing support component 982-1 may include a support body 982-1b, which may be coupled to or integrated with the outer ear plug inner surface 971 along any appropriate path 971-1p on the outer ear plug inner surface 971 in any appropriate manner, so that at least a portion of the outer surface 982-1x of the support body 982-1b within the path 971-1p and a portion of the outer ear plug inner surface 971 (i.e., the outer ear plug inner surface portion 971-1n) may together define a fluid housing space 982-1s between the outer ear plug inner surface portion 971-1n of the outer ear plug inner surface 971 within the path 971-1p and the outer surface 982-1x of the support body 982-1b, and so that at least a portion of the inner surface 982-1i of the support body 982-1b (e.g., opposite to the outer surface 982-1x) may face inward to define at least a portion of the inner ear plug space 975i of the outer ear plug space 975. Similarly, the second fluid housing support component 982-2 may include a support body 982-2b, which may be coupled to or integrated with the outer ear plug inner surface 971 along any appropriate path 971-2p on the outer ear plug inner surface 971 in any appropriate manner, such that at least a portion of an outer surface 982-2x of the support body 982-2b within the path 971-2p and a portion of the outer ear plug inner surface 971 (i.e., the outer ear plug inner surface portion 971-2n) may together define a fluid housing space 982-2s between the outer ear plug inner surface portion 971-2n of the outer ear plug inner surface 971 within the path 971-2p and the outer surface 982-2x of the support body 982-2b, and such that at least a portion of an inner surface 982-2i of the support body 982-2b (e.g., opposite to the outer surface 982-2x) may face inward to define at least a portion of the inner ear plug space 975i of the outer ear plug space 975.Similarly, the third fluid housing support component 982-3 may include a support body 982-3b, which may be coupled to or integrated with the outer ear plug inner surface 971 along any appropriate path 971-3p on the outer ear plug inner surface 971 in any appropriate manner, so that at least a portion of the outer surface 982-3x of the support body 982-3b within the path 971-3p and a portion of the outer ear plug inner surface 971 (i.e., the outer ear plug inner surface portion 971-3n) may together define a fluid housing space 982-3s between the outer ear plug inner surface portion 971-3n of the outer ear plug inner surface 971 within the path 971-3p and the outer surface 982-3x of the support body 982-3b, and so that at least a portion of the inner surface 982-3i of the support body 982-3b (e.g., opposite to the outer surface 982-3x) may face inward to define at least a portion of the inner ear plug space 975i of the outer ear plug space 975. Similarly, the fourth fluid housing support component 982-4 may include a support body 982-4b, which may be coupled to or integrated with the outer ear plug inner surface 971 along any appropriate path 971-4p on the outer ear plug inner surface 971 in any appropriate manner, so that at least a portion of the outer surface 982-4x of the support body 982-4b within the path 971-4p and a portion of the outer ear plug inner surface 971 (i.e., the outer ear plug inner surface portion 971-4n) may together define a fluid housing space 982-4s between the outer ear plug inner surface portion 971-4n of the outer ear plug inner surface 971 within the path 971-4p and the outer surface 982-4x of the support body 982-4b, and so that at least a portion of the inner surface 982-4i of the support body 982-4b (e.g., opposite to the outer surface 982-4x) may face inward to define at least a portion of the inner ear plug space 975i of the outer ear plug space 975.

[0148] As shown, each of the paths 971-1p to 971-4p can be unique and non-overlapping. For example, the fluid housing spaces 982-1s to 982-4s can be rotated and offset from each other about the longitudinal axis by any suitable amount (e.g., 90°, which can be as shown in FIG. Fig.34 Alternatively, two or more of the paths 971-1p to 971-4p may overlap, such that a portion of the outer earplug inner surface portion of a first path may be the same as a portion of the outer earplug inner surface portion of a second path.

[0149] The geometry of the support body of the fluid housing support component can be consistent or variable. For example, as shown in the figure, the thickness 982-1t of the support body 982-1b of the support component 982-1 between the outer surface 982-1x and the inner surface 982-1i of the support body 982-1b can be consistent along its entirety (for example, between any two portions of any two portions where the support body 982-1b is coupled to the path 971-1p). Alternatively, as shown in the figure, the thickness 982-2t of the support body 982-2b of the support component 982-2 between the outer surface 982-2x and the inner surface 982-2i of the support body 982-2b can vary along different portions thereof. The size and shape of each fluid housing space defined by each fluid housing support component can be the same as each other, or the size and / or shape of one fluid housing space defined by one fluid housing support component can be different from another fluid housing space defined by another fluid housing support component. The fluid housing spaces defined by the fluid housing support components can be of any appropriate size and / or any appropriate shape. Figure 32-Figure 34 In an undeformed configuration of the earplug subassembly 950 (e.g., a functional configuration of the earplug subassembly 950 when no external force such as a user is applied thereto), at least a portion of the inner surface of the support body can face another portion of the same inner surface or the inner surface of another support body, for defining at least a portion of the inner earplug space 975i of the outer earplug space 975. In addition, in some embodiments, other types of support components can be provided by the outer earplug internal support feature 981 of the earplug internal support subsystem 980, rather than a number of fluid housing support components. For example, as shown in the figure, any appropriate number of non-fluid housing support components 982-5 to 982-8 can be provided, each of which can be similar to Fig. 22 and Fig.23 The support members 682-1 of the embodiment of the present invention can each include a free end that operates to define at least a portion of the inner ear plug space 975i of the outer ear plug space 975. As shown, each of the non-fluid housing support members 982-5 to 982-8 can be rotationally offset from each other and interspersed between two specific members of the fluid housing support members 982-1 to 982-4.

[0150] The inner ear plug space 975i, which may be at least partially defined by a portion of one or more support members, operates to receive and at least partially retain at least a portion of the housing subassembly 930 and / or the sound emitting subassembly 940, such that sound S emitted therefrom can be effectively transmitted through the inner ear plug space 975i and exit the outer ear plug front opening 977. In some embodiments, the size and / or shape of at least a portion of the inner ear plug space 975i in its default configuration (e.g., when no external force is applied to the ear plug subassembly 950) may be such that at least a portion of the housing subassembly 930 and / or the sound emitting subassembly 940 cannot fit therein, such that at least a portion of the housing subassembly 930 and / or the sound emitting subassembly 940 must deform one or more of the support members to deform the size and / or shape of at least a portion of the inner ear plug space 975i from its default configuration so that the housing subassembly 930 and / or the sound emitting subassembly 940 can remain within the inner ear plug space 975i. In some embodiments, such contact between at least a portion of one or more support components defining the inner earplug space 975i (e.g., the interior space 982-1i of the support body 982-1b) and a portion of the housing subassembly 930 and / or the sound-emitting subassembly 940 can be maintained before, during, and after the outer earplug body 974 can receive an external force on the outer earplug outer surface 979 (e.g., applied by the user's ear canal), and the external force can deform the outer earplug inner surface portion 971-1n of the path 971-1p inner and outer earplug inner surface 971, thereby deforming the shape of the fluid housing space 982-1s to further push a portion of the inner surface 982-1i of the support body 982-1b against a portion of the housing subassembly 930 and / or the sound-emitting subassembly 940. In some embodiments, as shown, the spring component 266s of the internal support system 266 of the earplug subassembly 250 can be provided by portions of one or more support bodies that define the inner earplug space 975i of the subassembly 950 (rather than by the inner earplug body 264 of the subassembly 250) and / or at least a portion of the housing subassembly 930 and / or the sound-emitting subassembly 940.

[0151] Any suitable fluid, such as any suitable gas (e.g., air), any suitable liquid (e.g., water), any combination thereof, etc., may be maintained within the fluid housing space of the fluid housing support member of the earplug subassembly 950 in the default configuration, which operates to deform when the shape of the fluid housing space deforms due to deformation of any suitable portion of the surface defining the fluid housing space. In some embodiments, the volume of such fluid may remain constant throughout the use of the earplug subassembly 950 (e.g., the volume of such fluid in the default configuration of the fluid housing space may be the same as when the fluid housing space is deformed (e.g., when the earplug subassembly 950 is positioned in the ear canal of the user)). In other embodiments, the volume of such fluid may change throughout the use of the earplug subassembly 950 (e.g., fluid may be enabled to enter and leave the fluid housing space as the fluid housing space changes shape). For example, as shown, support body 982-1b of fluid housing support member 982-1 may include one or more valves 982-1v that operate to selectively enable fluid to enter and / or exit fluid housing space 982-1s therethrough.

[0152] Additionally or alternatively, it should be understood that any one or more of the support components of the external earplug internal support feature 981 of the external earplug internal support subsystem 980 may include one or more suitable wings, such as with respect to Figure 7-Figure 31 any wing as described above (e.g., extending in any appropriate direction from any appropriate portion of the inner surface 982-1i of the support body 982-1b having any appropriate shape and / or a portion of an adjacent support member (e.g., support member 982-5 and / or support member 982-8 (e.g., wing 982-1fb of support member 982-1)) (e.g., for intersecting and / or matching with a contour of a portion of the housing subassembly 930 and / or the sound-emitting subassembly 940 (e.g., wing 982-1fa of support member 982-1)). In addition or alternatively, although in Figure 32-Figure 34 Not shown, but understood, the external earplug internal support subsystem 980 can include one or more additional external earplug internal support features in conjunction with the external earplug internal support feature 981 (e.g., a second external earplug internal support feature positioned longitudinally along and about the external earplug body 974 above or below the external earplug internal support feature 981, such as additional external earplug internal support features defining one or more additional fluid housing spaces, which can have any suitable geometry or orientation that can be the same as or different from the fluid housing spaces of the external earplug internal support feature 981).

[0153] Any portion or the entirety of the earplug internal support feature 981 of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 980 (e.g., the support body and / or the wing portion of the earplug internal support feature 981) may be formed of any suitable material, which may be the same or different than the material of the outer earplug body 974. In addition, one or more supports of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 980 may be coupled to the outer earplug portion 970 using any suitable method or mechanism, including but not limited to any suitable adhesive (e.g., glue or tape), any suitable gasket, any suitable hot melt or other heat treatment, any suitable interference fit, any suitable mechanical connector, etc. Additionally or alternatively, one or more supports of the outer earplug internal support subsystem 980 may be molded to or otherwise integrated with the outer earplug portion 970 using any suitable process (e.g., in a single-shot or double-shot molding process).

[0154] Figure 1-Figure 34 Further description of

[0155] Thus, regardless of any geometric or material variability of the inner earplug body and / or outer earplug body of the earplug subassembly, any appropriate inner earplug internal support subsystem (e.g., any appropriate inner earplug internal support component of subsystem 166 and / or subsystem 266) and / or any appropriate outer earplug internal support subsystem (e.g., any appropriate outer earplug internal support component of subsystem 380, subsystem 480, subsystem 580, subsystem 680, subsystem 780, subsystem 880 and / or subsystem 980) operates to vary the effective stiffness of the earplug body to affect the ability of the earplug subassembly to conform to various ear canal geometries. Different support components of one or more internal support subsystems may be positioned and configured to provide a specific amount and type of additional stiffness at a specific portion of the outer surface of the outer earplug body that may be expected to interface with a specific portion of the user's ear canal geometry when the earplug subassembly is positioned within the user's ear canal (e.g., such that the earplug subassembly operates to conform to different ridges along the ear canal surface while maintaining an acoustic seal and simultaneously providing comfort to the user). Additionally or alternatively, at least one support component of the internal support subsystem may be positioned and configured to provide a specific amount and type of additional stiffness at a specific portion of the inner earplug body that defines an inner earplug space that may transmit sound to the user when the earplug subassembly is positioned within the user's ear canal (e.g., such that the earplug subassembly operates to ensure an effective sound path while also at least partially conforming to various ear canal geometries).

[0156] Although an earphone earplug with an internal support member and a method for making the same have been described, it should be understood that many modifications may be made thereto without departing in any way from the essence and scope of the subject matter described herein. Insubstantial changes to the subject matter that are considered to be protected by a person of ordinary skill in the art, whether now known or later conceived, are expressly considered to be equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions known to a person of ordinary skill in the art now or later are defined as being within the scope of the defined elements. It should also be understood that various directional and orientation terms may be used herein merely for convenience, such as "upper" and "lower", "front" and "back", "outer" and "inner", "top" and "bottom" and "side", "length" and "width" and "depth", "thickness" and "diameter" and "cross-section" and "longitudinal", "X-" and "Y-" and "Z-", etc., and these words are not intended to impose any fixed or absolute directional or orientation restrictions.

[0157] Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than in the described embodiments, which are provided for purposes of illustration and not limitation.

[0158] Item 1. An earplug comprising:

[0159] An inner ear plug body, the inner ear plug body defines an inner ear plug space and has an inner ear plug front end and an inner ear plug rear end opposite to the inner ear plug front end, the inner ear plug body includes an inner ear plug outer surface extending between the inner ear plug front end and the inner ear plug rear end;

[0160] an outer earplug body, the outer earplug body having an outer earplug front end and an outer earplug rear end opposite to the outer earplug front end, the outer earplug front end being coupled to the inner earplug front end at an interface, and the outer earplug body comprising an outer earplug inner surface extending between the outer earplug front end and the outer earplug rear end and defining an outer earplug space; and

[0161] Internal support subsystem, including:

[0162] A support extending between a first support end and a second support end, wherein the first support end is coupled to one of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface.

[0163] who; and

[0164] A wing extends from the second support end and has a surface contour that matches the interface surface portion of the other of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface.

[0165] Item 2. An earplug according to Item 1, wherein the interface surface portion extends around a portion of the inner earplug space.

[0166] Item 3. The earplug according to Item 1, wherein:

[0167] The interface surface portion extends along a portion of the length of the other of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface; and

[0168] The length extends between a front end and a rear end of the other of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface.

[0169] Item 4. The earplug of Item 1, wherein the wing contacts the interface surface portion when the earplug is in an undeformed configuration.

[0170] Item 5. The earplug of Item 1, wherein the wing is spaced apart from the interface surface portion when the earplug is in an undeformed configuration.

[0171] Item 6. The earplug of Item 1, wherein the wing operates to be pressed against the interface surface portion when the ear canal deforms the outer earplug body.

[0172] Item 7. The earplug according to Item 1, wherein:

[0173] The internal support subsystem further includes another support extending between another first support end and the second support end;

[0174] The first support end is coupled to a first portion of the one of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface; and

[0175] The other first support body end is coupled to a second portion of the one of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface.

[0176] Item 8. An earplug according to Item 7, wherein the first portion and the second portion are separated by a third portion of one of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface that extends around a portion of the inner earplug space.

[0177] Item 9. An earplug according to Item 7, wherein the distance between the first portion and the front end of one of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface is greater than the distance between the second portion and the front end of one of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface.

[0178] Item 10. The earplug according to Item 1, wherein:

[0179] The first support body end is coupled to the outer surface of the inner ear plug; and

[0180] The inner surface of the outer earplug includes the interface surface portion.

[0181] Item 11. The earplug according to Item 1, wherein:

[0182] The first support body end is coupled to the inner surface of the outer ear plug; and

[0183] The outer surface of the inner earplug includes the interface surface portion.

[0184] Item 12. The earplug according to Item 1, wherein:

[0185] The wing extends from the end of the second support body along a first direction;

[0186] The internal support subsystem further includes another wing extending from an end of the second support body in a second direction different from the first direction;

[0187] A wing surface portion of the other wing interfaces with another interface surface portion of the other of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface; and

[0188] The contour of the wing surface portion of the further wing matches the contour of the further interface surface portion.

[0189] Item 13. The earplug according to Item 1, wherein:

[0190] The internal support subsystem further includes another support extending between another first support end and another second support end;

[0191] The first support end is coupled to a first portion of the one of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface;

[0192] The other first support body end is coupled to a second portion of the one of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface; and

[0193] The first portion and the second portion are separated by a third portion of the one of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface extending around a portion of the inner earplug space.

[0194] Item 14. The earplug according to Item 1, wherein:

[0195] The internal support subsystem further includes another support extending between another first support end and another second support end;

[0196] The first support end is coupled to a first portion of the one of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface;

[0197] The other first support body end is coupled to a second portion of the one of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface; and

[0198] A distance between the first portion and a front end of one of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface is greater than a distance between the second portion and a front end of one of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface.

[0199] Item 15. The earplug of Item 1, wherein the interface surface portion extends as a spiral along and around the other of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface.

[0200] Item 16. The earplug of Item 1, wherein the second support body end is coupled to the other of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface.

[0201] Item 17. The earplug according to Item 1, wherein:

[0202] The support body defines a fluid housing space together with a portion of the one of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface; and

[0203] The shape of the fluid housing space operates to deform when the outer ear plug body deforms.

[0204] Item 18. A device comprising:

[0205] a housing subassembly including a housing opening;

[0206] a sound emitting component housed within the housing subassembly and configured to emit sound through the housing opening; and

[0207] an earplug coupled to the housing subassembly for receiving sound from the sound-emitting component, the earplug comprising:

[0208] An inner ear plug body, the inner ear plug body defines an inner ear plug space and has an inner ear plug front end and an inner ear plug rear end opposite to the inner ear plug front end, the inner ear plug body includes an inner ear plug outer surface extending between the inner ear plug front end and the inner ear plug rear end;

[0209] an outer earplug body, the outer earplug body having an outer earplug front end and an outer earplug rear end opposite to the outer earplug front end, the outer earplug front end being coupled to the inner earplug front end at an interface, and the outer earplug body comprising an outer earplug inner surface extending between the outer earplug front end and the outer earplug rear end and defining an outer earplug space; and

[0210] Internal support subsystem, including:

[0211] a support extending between a first support end and a second support end, the first support end being coupled to one of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface; and

[0212] A wing extends from the second support end and has a surface contour that matches the interface surface portion of the other of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface.

[0213] Item 19. A device according to Item 18, wherein the interface surface portion extends around a portion of the inner ear plug space.

[0214] Item 20. The apparatus of Item 18, wherein:

[0215] The interface surface portion extends along a portion of the length of the other of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface; and

[0216] The length extends between a front end and a rear end of the other of the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface.

[0217] Item 21. An earplug, comprising:

[0218] An inner ear plug body, the inner ear plug body defines an inner ear plug space and has an inner ear plug front end and an inner ear plug rear end opposite to the inner ear plug front end, the inner ear plug body comprising:

[0219] an inner ear plug outer surface extending between the inner ear plug front end and the inner ear plug rear end; and

[0220] an inner surface of the inner ear plug opposite to the outer surface of the inner ear plug and extending between the front end of the inner ear plug and the rear end of the inner ear plug;

[0221] an outer earplug body extending from a front end of the inner earplug at an interface and operative to be located at least partially within the ear canal; and

[0222] An internal support subsystem includes one or more internal support components, which are positioned to at least partially contact the inner ear plug body and surround the perimeter of the inner ear plug body to provide cross-sectional stiffness to the inner ear plug body around a corresponding portion of the inner ear plug space.

[0223] Item 22. An earplug according to Item 21, wherein the internal support subsystem includes an internal support member constructed as a spiral, and the internal support member extends at least partially between the front end of the inner earplug and the rear end of the inner earplug.

[0224] Item 23. The earplug according to Item 22, wherein the internal support component is located on the outer surface of the inner earplug or the inner surface of the inner earplug, or is located inside the inner earplug body.

[0225] Item 24. The earplug of Item 21, wherein the internal support subsystem comprises a plurality of internal support members spaced apart from one another.

[0226] Item 25. The earplug of Item 24, wherein the plurality of internal support members are equally spaced from one another in a vertical dimension.

[0227] Item 26. An earplug according to Item 25, wherein the multiple internal support components include a first internal support component, a second internal support component, a third internal support component and a fourth internal support component, and wherein the first interval between the first internal support component and the second internal support component is different from the interval between the third internal support component and the fourth internal support component.

[0228] Item 27. The earplug according to Item 24, wherein at least one of the plurality of internal support components is located on an outer surface of the inner earplug or an inner surface of the inner earplug, or is located inside the inner earplug body.

[0229] Item 28. The earplug according to Item 27, wherein the plurality of internal support components include a first internal support component and a second internal support component, and the first internal support component and the second internal support component are located on different surfaces.

[0230] Item 29. The earplug of Item 24, wherein the plurality of internal support members include a first internal support member and a second internal support member, the first internal support member being configured as a ring and the second internal support member being configured as a spring.

[0231] Item 30. The earplug of Item 24, wherein each internal support member is shaped as a ring and is positioned along a plane.

[0232] Item 31. The earplug of Item 30, wherein the internal support subsystem comprises a first internal support member located in a first plane and a second internal support member located in a second plane.

[0233] Item 32. An earplug according to Item 31, wherein the first plane and the second plane are parallel to each other when the earplug is in an uncompressed state, but when the earplug is in a compressed state, the first plane and the second plane intersect each other.

[0234] Item 33. A device comprising:

[0235] a housing subassembly including a housing opening;

[0236] a sound emitting component housed within the housing subassembly and configured to emit sound through the housing opening; and

[0237] an earplug coupled to the housing subassembly for receiving sound from the sound-emitting component, the earplug comprising:

[0238] An inner ear plug body, the inner ear plug body defines an inner ear plug space and has an inner ear plug front end and an inner ear plug rear end opposite to the inner ear plug front end, the inner ear plug body comprising:

[0239] an inner ear plug outer surface extending between the inner ear plug front end and the inner ear plug rear end; and

[0240] an inner surface of the inner ear plug opposite to the outer surface of the inner ear plug and extending between the front end of the inner ear plug and the rear end of the inner ear plug;

[0241] an outer earplug body extending from a front end of the inner earplug at an interface and operative to be located at least partially within the ear canal; and

[0242] An internal support subsystem includes one or more internal support components, which are positioned to at least partially contact the inner ear plug body and surround the perimeter of the inner ear plug body to provide cross-sectional stiffness to the inner ear plug body around a corresponding portion of the inner ear plug space.

[0243] Item 34. An apparatus according to Item 33, wherein the internal support subsystem includes an internal support member constructed as a spiral, and the internal support member extends at least partially between the front end of the inner ear plug and the rear end of the inner ear plug.

[0244] Item 35. A device according to Item 34, wherein the internal support component is located on the outer surface of the inner ear plug or the inner surface of the inner ear plug, or is located inside the inner ear plug body.

[0245] Item 36. The apparatus of Item 33, wherein the internal support subsystem comprises a plurality of internal support members spaced apart from one another.

[0246] Item 37. The apparatus of Item 36, wherein the plurality of internal support members are equally spaced from one another in a vertical dimension.

[0247] Item 38. An apparatus according to Item 37, wherein the plurality of internal support members include a first internal support member, a second internal support member, a third internal support member, and a fourth internal support member, and wherein a first interval between the first internal support member and the second internal support member is different from an interval between the third internal support member and the fourth internal support member.

[0248] Item 39. A device according to Item 38, wherein at least one of the multiple internal support components is located on the outer surface of the inner ear plug or the inner surface of the inner ear plug, or is located inside the inner ear plug body.

[0249] Item 40. The apparatus according to Item 39, wherein the plurality of internal support members include a first internal support member and a second internal support member, and the first internal support member and the second internal support member are located on different surfaces.

[0250] Item 41. An earplug comprising:

[0251] An inner earplug body, the inner earplug body defines an inner earplug space and has an inner earplug front end, the inner earplug body includes an inner earplug outer surface and an inner earplug inner surface opposite to the inner earplug outer surface;

[0252] an outer earplug body coupled to the inner earplug body at the inner earplug front end, the outer earplug body comprising an outer earplug inner surface extending between the outer earplug front end and an outer earplug rear end opposite the outer earplug front end; and

[0253] An internal support subsystem includes at least one support body, which forms at least one shell that can be filled with fluid. The at least one support body is located between the inner ear plug body and the outer ear plug body and is attached to at least one of the inner ear plug body and the outer ear plug body.

[0254] Item 42. The earplug according to Item 41, wherein the shell is formed by the support body and at least a portion of the outer earplug body or at least a portion of the inner earplug body.

[0255] Item 43. The earplug according to Item 41, wherein the support body is coupled to the inner surface of the outer earplug and is separated from the outer surface of the inner earplug.

[0256] Item 44. The earplug according to Item 41, wherein the support body is coupled to the outer surface of the inner earplug and is separated from the inner surface of the outer earplug.

[0257] Item 45. An earplug according to Item 44, wherein the support body is coupled to the entire circumference of the outer surface of the inner earplug.

[0258] Item 46. The earplug of Item 41, wherein the support body is coupled to both the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface.

[0259] Item 47. The earplug of Item 46, wherein the support body is coupled to two separate regions of the inner surface of the outer earplug and one region of the outer surface of the inner earplug.

[0260] Item 48. The earplug according to Item 41, wherein the support body forms a plurality of shells spaced apart from one another around the circumference of the inner earplug body.

[0261] Item 49. The earplug of Item 41, wherein the support body includes a valve that operates to selectively allow fluid to enter or exit the shell.

[0262] Item 50. The earplug of Item 41, wherein the internal support subsystem comprises a plurality of support bodies forming a plurality of shells spaced apart from one another around the circumference of the inner earplug body.

[0263] Item 51. The earplug according to Item 41, further comprising a wing coupled to the support body to contact one of the outer surface of the inner earplug or the inner surface of the outer earplug.

[0264] Item 52. The earplug according to Item 41, further comprising a wing coupled between adjacent supports to control the collapse of the adjacent supports.

[0265] Item 53. A device comprising:

[0266] a housing subassembly including a housing opening;

[0267] a sound emitting component housed within the housing subassembly and configured to emit sound through the housing opening; and

[0268] an earplug coupled to the housing subassembly for receiving sound from the sound-emitting component, the earplug comprising:

[0269] An inner earplug body, the inner earplug body defines an inner earplug space and has an inner earplug front end, the inner earplug body includes an inner earplug outer surface and an inner earplug inner surface opposite to the inner earplug outer surface;

[0270] an outer earplug body coupled to the inner earplug body at the inner earplug front end, the outer earplug body comprising an outer earplug inner surface extending between the outer earplug front end and an outer earplug rear end opposite the outer earplug front end; and

[0271] The internal support subsystem includes at least one support body, which forms at least one shell that can be filled with fluid. The support body is located between the inner ear plug body and the outer ear plug body and is attached to at least one of the inner ear plug body and the outer ear plug body.

[0272] Item 54. The device according to Item 53, wherein the shell is formed by the support body and at least a portion of the outer ear plug body or at least a portion of the inner ear plug body.

[0273] Item 55. The device of Item 53, wherein the support body is coupled to the inner surface of the outer ear plug and is separated from the outer surface of the inner ear plug.

[0274] Item 56. The device of Item 53, wherein the support body is coupled to the outer surface of the inner earplug and is separated from the inner surface of the outer earplug.

[0275] Item 57. A device according to Item 56, wherein the support body is coupled to the entire circumference of the outer surface of the inner ear plug.

[0276] Item 58. The device of Item 53, wherein the support body is coupled to both the outer surface of the inner earplug and the inner surface of the outer earplug.

[0277] Item 59. The device of Item 58, wherein the support body is coupled to two separate regions of the inner surface of the outer earplug and to one region of the outer surface of the inner earplug.

[0278] Item 60. The device of Item 53, wherein the support body forms a plurality of shells spaced apart from one another around the circumference of the inner earplug body.

Claims

1. An earplug, comprising: An inner ear plug wall, the inner ear plug wall defining a sound channel extending from a front end of the inner ear plug through the ear plug to a rear end of the inner ear plug opposite to the front end of the inner ear plug, the inner ear plug wall having an inner ear plug wall inner surface and an inner ear plug wall outer surface; an outer earplug wall, the outer earplug wall being integrally formed with the inner earplug front end and extending away from the inner earplug front end to an outer earplug wall distal end extending completely around a portion of the inner earplug wall, wherein the outer earplug wall is operative to be at least partially positioned within the ear canal and includes an outer earplug wall inner surface facing the inner earplug wall outer surface and an outer earplug wall outer surface opposite the outer earplug wall inner surface; as well as an inner support wall extending between the inner ear plug wall and the outer ear plug wall, wherein the inner support wall includes opposing first and second ends, the first end being coupled to the entire radial periphery of the inner ear plug wall outer surface, and the second end being operative to be pressed against and along a portion of the contour of the outer ear plug wall inner surface, thereby forming an air volume between the inner ear plug wall and the outer ear plug wall defined by a portion of the inner ear plug wall, a portion of the outer ear plug wall, and the inner support wall; wherein holes are formed through a wall defining the air volume to enable air to enter and leave the air volume when the air volume changes shape.

2. The earplug according to claim 1, wherein: The second end of the inner support wall is operable to be pressed against the entire periphery of the inner surface of the outer earplug wall.

3. The earplug according to claim 1, wherein: The second end of the inner support wall forms a seal with the interface surface portion of the outer ear plug wall when the outer ear plug wall is deformed when inserted into the ear canal.

4. The earplug according to claim 1, wherein: The hole is formed through the inner support wall.

5. The earplug of claim 1 further comprising a valve within the aperture, the valve selectively enabling air to exit the air volume.

6. The earplug according to claim 1, wherein: The outer ear plug wall has a constant thickness from the front end of the inner ear plug to the distal end of the outer ear plug wall.

7. The earplug according to claim 1, wherein: The sound channel defined by the inner ear plug wall has an elliptical cross-section.

8. An earplug, comprising: An inner ear plug wall, the inner ear plug wall defining a sound channel extending from a front end of the inner ear plug through the ear plug to a rear end of the inner ear plug opposite to the front end of the inner ear plug, the inner ear plug wall having an inner ear plug wall inner surface and an inner ear plug wall outer surface; an outer earplug wall, the outer earplug wall being integrally formed with the inner earplug front end and extending away from the inner earplug front end to an outer earplug wall distal end extending completely around a portion of the inner earplug wall, wherein the outer earplug wall is operative to be at least partially positioned within the ear canal and includes an outer earplug wall inner surface facing the inner earplug wall outer surface and an outer earplug wall outer surface opposite the outer earplug wall inner surface; as well as an inner support wall extending between the inner ear plug wall and the outer ear plug wall, wherein the inner support wall includes opposing first and second ends, the first end coupled to the entire radial periphery of the inner ear plug wall outer surface, and the second end coupled to the outer ear plug wall inner surface, thereby forming an air volume between the inner ear plug wall and the outer ear plug wall defined by a portion of the inner ear plug wall, a portion of the outer ear plug wall, and the inner support wall; Therein, holes are formed through a wall defining the air volume, thereby enabling fluid to enter and leave the air volume when the air volume changes shape.

9. The earplug according to claim 8, wherein: The hole is formed through the inner support wall.

10. The earplug of claim 8, further comprising a valve within the aperture, the valve selectively enabling air to exit the air volume.

11. The earplug according to claim 8, wherein: The outer ear plug wall has a constant thickness from the front end of the inner ear plug to the distal end of the outer ear plug wall.

12. The earplug according to claim 8, wherein: The sound channel defined by the inner ear plug wall has an elliptical cross-section.

13. A deformable earplug capable of being removably coupled to an earmuff, the deformable earplug comprising: an inner earplug body having a first opening at a front end, a second opening at a rear end opposite the front end, and an inner wall defining a cylindrical sound passage extending from the first opening through the deformable earplug to the second opening; an outer earplug body, the outer earplug body being integrally formed with the inner earplug body and having an outer wall of a generally parabolic shape, the outer wall having an axis of symmetry extending along the length of the sound passage, wherein the outer wall extends from the front end of the inner earplug body toward the rear end of the inner earplug body to a distal end of the outer earplug body, the distal end being spaced apart from and surrounding a portion of the inner earplug body, and wherein the outer earplug body is operative to deform when the earplug is at least partially positioned within the ear canal; as well as An inner support wall extends between the inner earplug body and the outer earplug body, thereby forming a closed air volume between the inner earplug body and the outer earplug body defined by a portion of the inner wall, a portion of the outer wall and the inner support wall.

14. The deformable earplug according to claim 13, wherein: The inner support wall includes opposing first and second ends, the first end coupled to the entire radial outer periphery of the inner wall and the second end operative to be pressed against and extend toward the distal end of the outer wall to form the enclosed air volume.

15. The deformable earplug according to claim 14, wherein: When the external ear plug body is deformed when inserted into the ear canal, the second end of the inner support wall forms a seal with the interface surface portion of the external ear plug body.

16. The deformable earplug according to claim 13, wherein: An aperture is formed through one of the walls defining the enclosed air volume, thereby enabling air to enter and leave the air volume as the air volume changes shape.

17. An earplug comprising: An inner earplug body, the inner earplug body defines an inner earplug space and has an inner earplug front end, the inner earplug body includes an inner earplug outer surface and an inner earplug inner surface opposite to the inner earplug outer surface; an outer earplug body coupled to the inner earplug body at the inner earplug front end, the outer earplug body comprising an outer earplug inner surface extending between the outer earplug front end and an outer earplug rear end opposite the outer earplug front end; as well as an internal support subsystem, the internal support subsystem comprising at least one support body forming at least one fluid housing space in which a fluid can be filled, the at least one support body being positioned between the inner ear plug body and the outer ear plug body and attached to at least one of the inner ear plug body and the outer ear plug body; Wherein, the shape of the fluid housing space operates to deform when the external ear plug body deforms.

18. The earplug according to claim 17, wherein: The shell is formed by the support body and at least a part of the outer ear plug body or at least a part of the inner ear plug body.

19. The earplug according to claim 17, wherein: The support body is coupled to the inner surface of the outer earplug and is separated from the outer surface of the inner earplug.

20. The earplug according to claim 17, wherein: The support body is coupled to the outer surface of the inner earplug and is separated from the inner surface of the outer earplug.

21. The earplug according to claim 20, wherein: The support body is coupled to the entire circumference of the outer surface of the inner earplug.

22. The earplug according to claim 17, wherein: The support body is coupled to both the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface.

23. The earplug according to claim 22, wherein: The support body is coupled to two separate regions of the inner surface of the outer earplug and to one region of the outer surface of the inner earplug.

24. The earplug according to claim 17, wherein: The support body forms a plurality of shells spaced apart from each other around the circumference of the inner earplug body.

25. The earplug according to claim 17, wherein: The support body includes a valve that operates to selectively enable fluid to enter or exit the housing.

26. The earplug according to claim 17, wherein: The internal support subsystem includes a plurality of support bodies forming a plurality of shells that are spaced apart from one another around the circumference of the inner earplug body.

27. The earplug of claim 17, further comprising a wing coupled to the support body for contacting one of the inner earplug outer surface or the outer earplug inner surface.

28. The earplug of claim 27, further comprising wings coupled between adjacent supports for controlling collapse of the adjacent supports.

29. A device for earplugs, comprising: a housing subassembly including a housing opening; a sound-generating component housed within the housing subassembly and configured to emit sound through the housing opening; as well as an earplug coupled to the housing subassembly for receiving sound from the sound-emitting component, the earplug comprising: An inner earplug body, the inner earplug body defines an inner earplug space and has an inner earplug front end, the inner earplug body includes an inner earplug outer surface and an inner earplug inner surface opposite to the inner earplug outer surface; an outer earplug body coupled to the inner earplug body at the inner earplug front end, the outer earplug body comprising an outer earplug inner surface extending between the outer earplug front end and an outer earplug rear end opposite the outer earplug front end; and an internal support subsystem, the internal support subsystem comprising at least one support body forming at least one fluid housing space in which a fluid can be filled, the support body being positioned between the inner ear plug body and the outer ear plug body and attached to at least one of the inner ear plug body and the outer ear plug body; Wherein, the shape of the fluid housing space operates to deform when the external ear plug body deforms.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein: The shell is formed by the support body and at least a part of the outer ear plug body or at least a part of the inner ear plug body.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein: The support body is coupled to the inner surface of the outer earplug and is separated from the outer surface of the inner earplug.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein: The support body is coupled to the outer surface of the inner earplug and is separated from the inner surface of the outer earplug.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein: The support body is coupled to the entire circumference of the outer surface of the inner earplug.

34. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein: The support body is coupled to both the inner earplug outer surface and the outer earplug inner surface.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein: The support body is coupled to two separate regions of the inner surface of the outer earplug and to one region of the outer surface of the inner earplug.

36. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein: The support body forms a plurality of shells spaced apart from each other around the circumference of the inner earplug body.

37. An earplug comprising: An inner earplug body, the inner earplug body defines an inner earplug space and has an inner earplug front end and an inner earplug rear end opposite to the inner earplug front end, the inner earplug body comprises: an inner earplug outer surface and an inner earplug inner surface, the inner earplug outer surface extends between the inner earplug front end and the inner earplug rear end, the inner earplug inner surface is opposite to the inner earplug outer surface and extends between the inner earplug front end and the inner earplug rear end; an outer earplug body extending from the inner earplug front end at the interface and operative to be positioned at least partially within the ear canal; and an internal support subsystem, the internal support subsystem comprising one or more internal support members positioned to at least partially contact the inner ear plug body and surround a perimeter of the inner ear plug body for providing cross-sectional rigidity to the inner ear plug body around a corresponding portion of the inner ear plug space; wherein the internal support subsystem comprises a plurality of internal support components spaced apart from each other; and Wherein, the plurality of internal support components are equally spaced apart from each other in a vertical dimension.

38. The earplug according to claim 37, wherein The plurality of internal support members include a first internal support member, a second internal support member, a third internal support member, and a fourth internal support member, and wherein a first spacing between the first internal support member and the second internal support member is different from a spacing between the third internal support member and the fourth internal support member.

39. The earplug according to claim 37, wherein: At least one of the plurality of internal support members is positioned on the outer surface of the inner earplug or on the inner surface of the inner earplug, or within the inner earplug body.

40. The earplug of claim 39, wherein: The plurality of interior support members include a first interior support member and a second interior support member, the first interior support member being positioned on a different surface than the second interior support member.

41. The earplug of claim 37, wherein: The plurality of internal support members include a first internal support member configured as a ring and a second internal support member configured as a spring.

42. The earplug of claim 37, wherein: Each inner support member is shaped as a ring and is located along a plane.

43. The earplug according to claim 42, wherein The internal support subsystem includes a first internal support member located in a first plane and a second internal support member located in a second plane.

44. The earplug according to claim 43, wherein The first plane and the second plane are parallel to each other when the earplug is in an uncompressed state, but the first plane and the second plane intersect each other when the earplug is in a compressed state.

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